Who Will Win Euro 2008? –Part 2
Having looked at the top eight teams in the betting we’re now going to see if there are any lively outsiders worth backing to win Euro 2008.
Switzerland
Host nations have a good record in this tournament but Switzerland have only twice previously qualified for this tournament and have never got out of the group stages. Very good defensively they won’t lose many goals and could qualify from their group…but that’s all!
Current Odds- 25/1 (Skybet)
Greece
Shock winners of the last tournament in 2004 they have many of the same squad featuring here. They base their game on a solid defence and good goalkeeper and look to counter attack quickly. Greece aren’t likely to concede many goals, but they’re not likely to score many either.
The chances of lightning striking twice and Greece winning the tournament?-NIL!
Current Odds- 25/1 (Bodog)
Sweden
Semi- Finalists once, Quarter Finalists once and knocked out in the group stages once. That’s Sweden’s record in this tournament the three times they have previously qualified. Could make the Quarter –Finals again, but not even the recall of Henrik Larsson can help them win it.
Current Odds- 25/1 (VCbet)
Russia
Russia have failed to qualify from the group stages the last three times they’ve been in the tournament and they’re likely to fair no better here. Guus Hiddink has his team well marshalled especially in defence and they have great pace in their side, but that might not be enough to see them make an impact in this tournament. They are a youthful side and are prone to tactical naivety, and lapses in concentration at the back.
Would be a surprise if they came through their group
Current Odds- 28/1 (Ladbrokes)
Romania
Romania have a good balance to their side and although they play an attacking 4-4-2 formation, they proved in qualification with a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 victory over Holland they can be tactically aware and can adapt their style. They are in by far the toughest group but they have already proved they are more than a match for Holland and if the big two of Italy and France slip up they could take advantage.
Definitely a team to watch especially if they get out of a tough group, and could be worth a small each/way bet at huge odds.
Current Odds- 50/1 (Skybet)
Poland
Poland have at least four real world class players to call upon for this tournament, unfortunately for them they are all goalkeepers. Poland did top their qualifying group and that included Portugal who couldn’t beat them, so they shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. They don’t have any big star names and are a tightly knit unit who operate more like club side. Solid defensively they may lack in creativity, but they more than make up for it in effort and resilience.
If there is likely to be a surprise team in the tournament then it could be Poland. They are our each/way choice to cause a few upsets
Current Odds- 50/1 (Coral)
Turkey
The Turks come into the tournament in poor form having only won two of their last six matches. Manager Fatih Terim has continued to experiment with formations and line-ups and he has chopped and changed his defence giving them little stability. They have one or two quality players, but the Turkish side are more effective than flamboyant.
A dodgy defence and an unsettled line-up means Turkey will struggle. Unless they improve drastically we can’t see them winning a game.
Current Odds- 50/1 (Paddy Power)
Austria
If Austria were not one of the host nations they wouldn’t be here, it’s as simple as that. They would struggle to get out of a group containing Wales, San Marino and Luxembourg, never mind a group that has Poland, Croatia and Germany in it. They are the weakest nation in the tournament by a mile. They may surprise everyone and raise their game in front of their own fans, but don’t hold your breathe.
You’d have to be mad to back them-No way can they win this tournament.
Current Odds- 125/1 (Stan James)