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

The UEFA European Championship kicks off in less than a month, and the anticipation continues to build each day that the opening match creeps closer.

Provisional rosters were announced today for the 16 nations that will be contesting arguably the most coveted continental trophy amongst the World's Association Football Confederations.

France is one of three nations that have won the tournament on multiple occasions with titles from 1984 and 2000.

Today the nation announced a 26-man provisional roster that will be trimmed only slightly to make the required squad amount for the summer tournament.

The Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille).

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Montpellier).

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Samir Nasri (Manchester City).

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (PSG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Loic Remy (Marseille).

It will be hard to figure which players are to be axed before summer, one of each from the keepers, midfield and the attack.

That being said here is my prediction for the nation's starting XI this summer.

GK: Hugo Lloris (C)

Hugo Lloris from Lyon wears the armband for his nation and captains well from the back.

The 25-year-old has 98 saves and five clean sheets for his club this season and is one of the most talented of his generation.

RB: Mathieu Debuchy

Mathieu Debuchy is only a recent addition to the national team, but his play for OSC Lille has been outstanding and has him being tracked by several big clubs throughout Europe.

This summer is likely to be his make or break coming out party with his national team.

RCB: Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny has found his form in recent months for Arsenal, and he is likely believed to be the man to hold down the right side of central defense.

With Philippe Mexes having seen only limited playing time for AC Milan this season, Koscielny has much more match time and sharpness and should get the nod after a strong last few months of the EPL season.

LCB: Adil Rami

The Valencia defender has been strong all season as he helped his club to a top four finish in Spain.

Rami can also come forward and push the attack if needs be, and the 26-year-old is likely to be a long-term player in his position.

LB: Patrice Evra

There is truly little doubt as to whether Patrice Evra will be France's left back this summer.

Barring any unsuspected incident, the Manchester United man should be on the pitch throughout the tournament.

CDM: Yann M'Vila

Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila is sure to be utilized in the holding midfield for France as they attempt to exploit the wide areas with their great attackers.

The 21-year-old is set to ignite a long and prosperous national career this summer.

RCM: Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle United made one of the best signings of the 2011-12 English Premier League season when they nabbed Yohan Cabaye from Lille last summer.

Cabaye has flourished in England, and his international career is only set to benefit from his confidence.

LCM: Samir Nasri

Manchester City poached Samir Nasri from Arsenal at the death of the 2011 summer transfer window.

For months he fell out of form in the middle of the season, but he started to turn things around as City made their run.

Now he is set to strike up a partnership with Cabaye that could be one of the best to watch at the tournament.

RW: Mathieu Valbuena

Marseille winger Mathieu Valbuena created 13 assists and scored five goals for his club during the French Ligue 1 season, and his form is expected to carry over into the summer.

As a newer member to the squad he has little room for error to keep his place with Jeremy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa itching for his spot.

LW: Frank Ribery

There are two players that are never not doubted as starters for France—Hugo Lloris and Franck Ribery.

The Bayern Munich winger is hopefully going to be riding the high of winning the UEFA Champions League after this coming Saturday and if so, he could be near untouchable for France in the Euro's.

ST: Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was part of Real Madrid's mighty attack all season in Spain with 34 league appearances for 21 goals and seven assists.

With 42 caps and 13 goals for his nation, he is the favorite to lead the line.

However, one slip is likely to see Olivier Giroud take his place.

Conclusion

France has a chance to make a huge push into the later stages of the tournament.

With a group that sees them have England, Sweden and host nation Ukraine as their opponents, there will be some great opening-round matches.

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