Euro 2012 latest outright betting odds

Just two months after the 2010 World Cup came to an end, the focus shifts towards Euro 2012, with the first round of qualifiers taking place on Friday. The tournament finals will take place in Poland and Ukraine, which means that just fourteen qualifying places are available due to the co-hosts automatically booking their place at the table.

There are nine qualifying groups, with the winner from each going through to the finals along with the best performing 2nd-placed team. The other eight 2nd-placed teams will play-off to determine the final four places.

It’s little surprise to see Spain as outright favourites (4/1 bet365) to win Euro 2010, with La Furia Roja now the champions of the world as well as Europe. Vicente Del Bosque remains as manager of the national team and it will be largely the same set of players that defend their crown.  A group including Czech Republic and Scotland shouldn’t pose too many problems for the holders.

However, the one other European team that stood out in South Africa were Germany, especially as Joachim Loew took a chance on several young players such as Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. The pair have both signed for Real Madrid this term, while the likes of Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger should ensure that Die Mannschaft are lively contenders. Paddy Power go 11/2 that they win Euro 2012.

Nevertheless, it was the Netherlands that made the final of the World Cup and it was disappointing that Bert van Marwijk’s team resorted to an aggressive style of play against the Spanish which meant justice was served when Andres Iniesta scored an extra-time winner for Spain. Paddy Power offer 7/1 that Holland go one better in Poland & Ukraine, providing that they manage to qualify from a group which includes Sweden and Finland.

The three big European disappointments at the World Cup were England, France and Italy. The English did make it beyond the group stages, although they were badly exposed by Germany and Fabio Capello is now under pressure to deliver in this tournament. Sporting Bet go 12/1 that the Three Lions are victorious, although there’s no certainty that they will qualify from a group which includes Switzerland and Bulgaria.

We should expect a completely different French team from the side that went on strike under Raymond Domenech. Although Laurent Blanc has to restore the confidence of supporters who saw their nation disgraced in south Africa, there are some talented players to call upon and Les Bleus are 14/1 with Stan James to win Euro 2012.

Cesare Prandelli has replaced Marcello Lippi as manager of Italy and he is likely to bring through plenty of young players as the Azzurri look to put the poor performances of the 2010 World Cup behind them. Paddy Power offer 11/1 that the 2006 World Cup winners are triumphant and we should expect an improved showing.

Portugal (12/1 bet365) and Russia (22/1 bet365) are the other teams worthy of consideration, although Carlos Queiroz might not be the right man to take the former forward after setting them up ultra-defensively against the Ivory Coast and Spain in the World Cup.