Euro 2012 kicks off this week in Poland and the Ukraine. After such a thrilling and exciting club season where there were many shocks and incidents, the tournament has been even more eagerly anticipated than normal. I myself am very excited for the tournament and feel that International football is a very sound medium for gambling enthusiasts due to the quality of player taking part.
I will be advising bets throughout the tournament with an explanation of each. I would say that some bets may be given more notice than others due to markets being priced up differently as well as team news leading up to matches so advise you check the site often. I have decided to employ a staking system for the tournament as I have found it very useful during my betting career. The stakes range from 1 to 5 points – the greater number of points, the more secure I feel the bet is.
Before the tournament starts I thought I would put forward some selections as to which Nations I think are in with a good chance of qualifying from their groups and also the sides who I feel capable of going all the way.
With regards to the tournament winner I have backed two sides to win Euro 2012.
I feel Spain have been overlooked by many and a lot of pundits and fans want to get them beat because of the stat which states that no side has ever retained the European Championships. Well, stats are there to be broken and if any side has been capable of making history it is this Spanish side. The ‘Golden Generation’ have saw off all opponents on their way to winning Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010. Without Carles Puyol and David Villa this time around due to injury, Spain still posses such strength in depth in every department with Barcelona and Real Madrid players in key positions. Yes, Germany have a strong squad also and they have a great record in tournament football but Spain have easily brushed them aside in the last two International competitions and I feel they still have that edge. From a betting point of view there is little between the two nations in terms of price and I think it will pay to side with the experience and sheer technical brilliance of the reigning Champions.
At bigger prices you could make the case for several nations. Russia could be dark horses because they are in what is perceived to be an easier group and have an exciting mix of experience and youth. They reached the semi-finals four years ago so have past form. Italy come into the tournament under a shroud of controversy under new allegations of match fixing, very similar to their preparation of the World Cup in 2006 which they went on to win. This time it seems an even greater disgrace and the manager has even stated that he wouldn’t bother if they withdrew from participating because of it. All that withstanding though, they remain dangerous and I wouldn’t read too much into their 3-0 loss against Russia on Friday. With a lot of Juventus players likely to make up their starting XI, they could surprise a few once again.
My outside bet, however, is for France to not only get out a tricky group containing England; one of the tournament hosts Ukraine; and the perennial stubborn opponents of Sweden, but to challenge for the trophy. Winners in 2000, ‘Les Bleus’ have had a couple of shocking performances in the most recent tournaments but there is a greater sense of optimism amongst the French public this time around with a new generation of players and perhaps most importantly, a new coach in Laurent Blanc. Going forward France have several players who played very important roles in their club sides success this term. Ribery, Benzema and Nasri are as dangerous a threesome in the competition. Their defence is probably the most fragile part of their side but I am hoping that Blanc’s style of play goes someway to compensate for that.
Should France get out of the group they would face a team from Group C, most likely one of Spain or Italy. In my predictions I would have them facing Italy in the Quarters and then Germany or Holland in the Semi final. No matter how it works, the way the groups have been drawn, there is no chance of an easy fixture, especially in the later rounds. The other bet I would advise before the tournament is for Poland to qualify from Group A. Normally the host team(s) have a big advantage in these sorts of tournaments. I don’t fancy Ukraine getting out their group and believe Poland stand a much better chance. With the likes of Lewandowski in such tremendous form for his club side, they will always carry a threat. The passionate home support is also crucial and having had experience of playing in competition football over the last decade, they are sure to give a good account against the likes of Greece and Czech Republic.
Pre Tournament Selections: Outright Winners:
Spain 3pts, 11/4 @ Bet365
France 1pt, @ 11/1 @ Coral
Qualify from Group:
Poland 4ts, 4/5 @ StanJames
