Spain Euro 2012 Roster: Latest on Team's Starting 11 and More

With Spain manager Vincente Del Bosque set to announce his final squad for Euro 2012 in a few weeks time, here we'll take a look at his possible starting 11 and who will be in contention for a place in the 23-man squad.

Now that the Olympians have been named, it certainly rules out a few players that were in the "maybe" category for the World and European Champions. 

Iker Casillas

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is Spain's first-choice goalkeeper and is sure to make the finals squad unless he suffers an injury between now and then.

Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes will be shoe-ins for the other open goalkeeper positions respectively.

Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid will also have defender Sergio Ramos representing in the Spanish side.

With Carles Puyol set to miss Euro 2012 due to knee surgery, expect Ramos to be playing a more central role for Spain.

Gerard Pique

Ramos will likely be patrolling the central defence alongside Gerard Pique of Barcelona.

The former Manchester United defender has recently been linked with a move back to the English club.

Alvaro Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa—also of Real Madrid—played in 10 of Spain's qualifying matches for the Euro 2012 finals.

His inclusion for the final squad is almost a certainty, whilst his starting 11 inclusion is highly likely.

Jordi Alba

With Sergio Ramos set for a central defensive role, Alvaro Arbeloa will do the duties at right-back.

Despite only having three caps to his name thus far, I'm tipping Jordi Alba to be given the nod to play left-back.

The Valencia defender has been excellent this season.

Xabi Alonso

If you want an assured central midfielder who can sit and spray passes around, look no further than Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool have never truly replaced the Real Madrid star.

Andres Iniesta

When you've been awarded second place in the 2010 Ballon d'Or and fourth place in 2011, you can pretty much bank that you'll make any starting 11.

Andres Iniesta will be pulling strings in the heart of Spain's talented midfield.

David Silva

David Silva might be under threat of losing his position in the Spain starting lineup due to his recent dip in club form.

Likely jaded from a gruelling Premier League-winning season, the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets will be pushing for his starting place.

Fernando Llorente

With Spain struggling for a fit and in-form goal threat, look no further than Fernando Llorente.

The lanky Athletic Bilbao striker recently just missed out on the Europa League winners medal after losing in the final.

Fernando Torres

This addition may surprise a few people but who else can Spain turn to?

With David Silva still an uncertainty due to his long injury layoff, surely Fernando Torres has to play up front.

Juan Mata has the trickery but not the goal threat that Torres possesses, whilst Iker Munaian is perhaps a hair too inexperienced to be granted a starting place immediately.

Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez is in danger of becoming one of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d'Or if things keep progressing as they have.

The Barcelona midfielder will be right in there alongside Alonso, Silva and Iniesta.

Closing

Whilst this starting 11 is in no means assured, there exists strong reasoning for it to occur.

Other squad candidates that will be favourites to travel to Poland and Ukraine are:

Pepe Reina (GK)

Victor Valdes (GK)

Raul Albiol (DEF)

Javi Martinez (DEF)

Cesc Fabregas (MID)

Sergio Busquets (MID)

Santi Cazorla (MID)

Jesus Navas (MID)

Juan Mata (FOR)

Roberto Soldado (FOR)

Pedro (FOR)

Iker Munaian (FOR)

David Villa has a lot to do in the Copa Del Rey final on May 25 if he wants to impress Vincente Del Bosque enough to consider him for the finals.

Expect the final squad announcements on May 27.

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