EURO 2008 Final

An excellent tournament is about to end. We saw a lot of goals and entertaining football, and we can only hope that tonight we’ll enjoy a grand finale.
Both Spain and Germany had a great campaign and both of these sides are more than deserve to play tonight at the EURO 2008 final. Spain seem a better team with strong defense, creative midfield and a lethal attacking force, even without the injured Villa, But Germany is still Germany and they are a tough nut, fielding players who are mentally and physically strong. When adding the vast experience to the equation, this can give them the edge in tonight's match.
I was very disappointed at Germany in their last match against Turkey. The defense looked shaky and Lehman was even worse than Cech when the Czech played the Turks. Spain, on the other hand, have a mental block since they haven’t won a major tournament for 40 years, and their last appearance in a final was 20 years ago, when lost to Michel Platini’s France. BetUknow community suggests the match won't end in 90 minutes, and with 9\4 odds for a draw from bwin, I say - go to the bookies.

"I told you so"

Well, you can’t really say you’re surprised, and I have no other option than telling you “I told you so!” In the first EURO 2008 post, I've told you that Russia will go far and Netherlands will be disappointing. You can still check that post and you'll see I have also predicted the Spanish team to disappoint as well. Today, more than two weeks since that post, we will see if I was right about that as well. Despite what I think, BetUknow community, both teams' top predictors and the community's top predictors are certain Spain will win. They might still be dazzled due to the "Villa&Torres" show... Gattuso and Pirlo are unavailable for the Italians while Luka Tony just can't hit it right. All in all, Italy play boring, tactical football. Still and despite all that, I'm pretty sure they will eliminate Spain, who will once again be crowned as the big losers of Europe.

The Last Place In The Quarter Finals

The final matches of the first round take place tonight as Spain meet Greece for a match which is totally irrelevant for the final standings of the group, while Sweden and Russia fight for the last place in the Quarter Finals.
Spain are clear favorites to win the match with odds of 18\25 @ William Hill and the only question left is whether Aragones makes the same mistake he did two years ago cutting the team's momentum by switching the starting line up for the last group stage match. Obviously, some players needs to get some rest, but playing against Greece, who finished their way at the competition last week, should not be too difficult even for the substitute players. Maybe, just maybe, today will see Greece start playing football and fly home with some pride. Well, this won’t happen according to BetUknow community. 75% of them think Spain will win the match, very much like Greece top predictors. The community top predictors and Spain top predictors are very confident at Spain's win with 85% and 90% respectively.
The second match sees Sweden and Russia collides; with a draw suffice to give the Swedes the ticket to the Quarter Finals. In my opinion, these two teams are quite equal and whatever happens Holland will be too big for them in the Quarter Finals. The bad news for Russia is they must play offensively in order to score. The good news are that Arshavin is eligible to play, after serving 2 match ban, backing up disappointing Pavluchenko. The community, including its top predictors, bets on Sweden to qualify to the next round, with only Sweden's top predictors thinking Russia will be the ones playing Holland.

EURO 2008 - Group Stage 3rd round

The second round is a thing of the past and while there were no huge surprises so far, the third round can see 3 of Europe's giants dropping out.
Tomorrow, Germany and Austria collide in a battle for a ticket for the quarter-finals, while Poland meets Croatia at the same time, hoping for a miracle. A German victory will send them playing Portugal in the quarter finals, while a defeat will send them facing a lot of pressure back home. The Poles have to prey for Germany not to win, while beating Croatia in a bigger goal margin that Austria beat Germany. Things seem open enough, but the Germans are still clear favorites to go through.
The next day sees France and Italy play, with their destiny lying in the hands of Holland and Romania. A Romania win will send them to the quarter finals, regardless of the score between France and Italy. At least Holland can lay back and enjoy a tensionless game…
BetUknow community see wins for Czech Republic, Germany, France and Sweden, to complete the quarter finals picture as follows:
Portugal vs. Germany
Croatia vs. Czech Republic
Netherlands vs. Sweden
Spain vs. France

EURO 2008 - Group Stage

The first round of the group stage is almost over and there were no big surprises until now. The matches in Groups A and B went as predicted and the BetUknow's community got it right. Group C, however, was a different story. France and Romania played out a boring draw which the community failed to predict. The community was also quite sure Italy and Netherlands will share the points, but Marco van Basten lads proved them all wrong.
Today, group D matches take place and the expectations are high. High-profile Spain meet Guus Hiddink's Russia and Sweden play European Champions Greece.
Russia lost Pogrebnyak due to a knee injury and Andrei Arshavin is suspended. This means the talented but unexpected Roman Pavlyuchenko will have to take their place. On the other side, Spain coach Luis Aragones have decided to play with Villa, leaving Cesc Fabregas on the bench. This increases the firepower of the Spaniards, but could cost them the midfield domination.
At the second match, European champions Greece eager to prove 2004 win wasn’t a fluke. Sweden will try to penetrate Greece's strong defense and the recalled Henrik Larson, alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will try to do just that. We should not forget that unlike 2004, Greece hold a very talented striking force, which scored 25 goals in their 12 qualifying group matches, so Sweden will have to make sure not to give the Greek strikers any openings.
Lars Lagerback said that "Each game is a cup final so you have to be careful". That was just before claiming he sees a lot of similarities between the teams…… are we about to be bored to death?!?
The community and all the top predictors believe Spain will win the match against Russia, while the second game will end in a draw. Only Greece top predictors think otherwise, and predict Greece to surprise yet again and take all three points. Maybe they are still dazed from 2004 triumph…..

EURO 2008

Football Betting Tips blog will accompany you to the EURO 2008 competition with odds, teams information and tips from betuknow.co.uk.
With only 4 days to go to the kick-off, the teams are getting ready with a couple of friendly matches this week. Looking at the matches taking place up to this point, we find it hard to pinpoint a team that is looking good enough to win the competition… I hope we aren’t about to see another boring competition, like the one in 2004.
I should give you my prediction for the tournament before it all begins. Let's start with a few reasons why I choose Germany with 1:4 odd as the competition winners:
- Germany did ok in their last preparation matches and this "ok" is a lot better than the others.
- Germany’s key players are in great form and had a good season with their clubs. The captain Michael Ballack was the main reason for Chelsea to almost win every title possible, Klose was brilliant this season for Bayern Munich and Mertatsakar height should eliminate any aerial threat for Lehmann.
- Their first match is an almost granted 3 points against Poland, a fact that would give them a boost in their next match against Croatia. If nothing wring will happen, Germany will probably meet either the Czech Republic or Portugal in the Quarter Finals and they are a better than them both.
- The vast experience of the German players, alongside with the great history of the team makes Germany a fearsome opponent for any side.

The surprise package: Russia. Reasons to believe
- Guus Hidink
- Zenit
- An attacking force including Arshavin, Pogrebnyak and Pavlichenko.

The disappointing team: Spain and Netherlands. Reasons to believe.
- The same as usual