Who’s going to win Euro 2008?
WHO IS GOING TO WIN EURO 2008?
The tournament that all of England has been waiting for with gritted teeth (Thanks once again Steve McClaren for saving us the agony of another Quarter Final exit on penalties) kicks off on Saturday, and having already previewed each team’s individual strengths and weaknesses, we now look at who the likely winners are going to be - And it’s a case of the usual suspects, but there are more than a few dark horses (with tempting odds) circling with intent - Let’s not forget Euro 2004 was won by 100/1 “nobodies” Greece - Surely it can’t happen again…
Group Winners
Group A
Portugal were finalists in Euro 2004, a tournament they should have won, and finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup. With retirements and loss of form, they are not team they were. Nevertheless, confidence in the Portuguese camp remains high. Coach Scolari said, “I think we can reach the final, even though that will involve beating some very difficult opponents.” They are taken to win Group A, at the main expense of the Czech Republic.
Betting
11/8 Portugal (888sport)
11/4 Czech Republic (Paddy Power)
18/5 Switzerland (totesport)
7/1 Turkey (Paddy Power)
Group B
Following an unexpected third place in the 2006 World Cup, German expectations are high. They dropped only four points before confirming qualification with three games to go, before losing 3-0 at home to the Czech Republic. The well-marshalled squad have been bolstered by the emergence of some promising youngsters.
Croatia finished top of a tough qualifying group, beating England twice. They were only beaten when qualification was assured. Germany are taken to win Group B from Croatia.
Betting
4/6 Germany (William Hill)
13/5 Croatia (Paddy Power)
8/1 Poland (skybet)
16/1 Austria (totesport)
Group C
2006 World Cup winners Italy took just one point from first two 
qualifying games, then won nine of the remaining 10 and finished three points ahead of France. France’s record in the qualifying competition, losing twice to Scotland in finishing second to Italy, suggests all is not well.
Holland were largely unimpressive in qualification, finishing behind Romania. However, some of the players from successive European under-21 tournament victories have been successfully integrated into the senior side, which looks ready to take advantage of any slip-ups from the Italians or French. The Dutch are taken to “steal” the group from their more fancied rivals.
Betting
7/4 Italy (Paddy Power)
2/1 France (Paddy Power)
11/4 Holland (Bet365)
10/1 Romania (William Hill)
Group D
Spain managed just three points from their opening three qualifying games, including a 3-2 defeat in Belfast, but still topped the group by two points. Spain are basking in a truly talented generation of players, like Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, and should take Group D with a minimum of fuss.
Betting
5/6 Spain (Stan James)
9/2 Russia (Paddy Power)
5/1 Sweden (William Hill)
11/2 Greece (Paddy Power)
Overall Winners
Once again, the Spanish have qualified for a major tournament, playing some exciting football and have some exceptional talent in their squad, including Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres. 
It was a comfortable qualification for the Spaniards, winning nine of their final ten matches to qualify. While they failed to make it out of the group stages in 2004, they have every chance of topping Group D this time around, especially with favourable opponents in Sweden, Greece and Russia. However, at a best-priced 11/2 with Paddy Power, they are underpriced on recent achievements. Germany are well-fancied, although quite whether they should be as low as 4/1 (William Hill) favourites is another matter.
World Cup winners Italy can’t afford their customary slow start if they are to win the European Championships for only the second time. Roberto Donadoni’s men might look big at 7/1 (Paddy Power) to emulate their success of two years ago, but face France (17/2 Paddy Power) and Holland (14/1 Paddy Power) in Group C. There’s also been plenty of money for Portugal (15/2 sportingbet), for whom Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously the key player, and Croatia (14/1 Paddy Power), who were so successful when dismantling England at Wembley.
Betting
4/1 Germany (William Hill), 11/2 Spain, 7/1 Italy (both Paddy Power), 15/2 Portugal (sportingbet) 17/2 France, 14/1 Holland, Croatia (all Paddy Power) 20/1 Czech Republic (William Hill), 28/1 Russia (Stan James), 33/1 Switzerland (Paddy Power), 40/1 Greece, 50/1 Romania (both skybet), Sweden (Paddy Power), 66/1 Poland (William Hill), Turkey, 150/1 Austria (both Paddy Power).
Top Goalscorer - “Golden Boot”
Betting
9/1 Fernando Torres, 10/1 Cristiano Ronaldo (both Ladbrokes), Miroslav Klose (William Hill), 16/1 Luca Toni (Paddy Power), 18/1 Mario Gomez (Ladbrokes), David Villa, 20/1 Ruud van Nistelrooy, 22/1 Thierry Henry, 28/1 Luks Podolski (all Paddy Power), 33/1 Michael Ballack, Mladen Petric, Karim Benzema (all William Hill), 40/1 Filippo Inzaghi (Stan James), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (William Hill), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Paddy Power), 50/1 Alexander Frei (William Hill), Robin van Persie (Paddy Power), Jan Koller, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Nuno Gomes, Kevin Kuranyi (all William Hill), Alberto Gilardino (Stan James), 66/1 BAR. Each-way terms are generally ¼ the odds a place 1, 2, 3, 4.
In Euro 2000 and 2004, twelve of the thirteen players that finished in the top 4 goalscorers were members of teams that reached the quarter-finals. Statistics from these tournaments indicate that three goals might well be enough to guarantee a place return, while five goals of more gives a player a definite chance of collecting the “Golden Boot.” Patrick Kluivert won with five in Euro 2000, playing for a Dutch side that reached the semi-finals, while Milan Baros won with the same number in 2004, as a member of the Czech Republic side that reached the same stage of the competition.
In seeking a potential “Golden Boot” winner it is essential to select from a team which is fairly certain to reach the quarter-finals. Examination of the groups suggests that Portugal, Spain, Germany and Holland are fair bets to progress from their respective groups. Having derived a shortlist of likely qualifiers the next step is to narrow down the players in those teams to the potential high scorers. Obvious selections, given their scoring records this season are Spain’s Fernando Torres and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but this is reflected by the odds on offer.
Those seeking better value may do worse than consider Germany’s Kevin Kuranyi (50/1 with William Hill). The Germans should progress to the semi-finals and Schalke 04 striker Kuranyi may start alongside Klose. Even if only making substitute appearances, the price represents excellent each-way value. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Holland also appeals at 40/1 with Paddy Power. Huntelaar has all the attributes to play a starring role at Euro 2008 and if the inconsistent Dutch team click then he could score the goals that will lead them to glory.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
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Nederland Oh Nederland
Jij bent een kampioen
Wij houden van Oranje
Om zijn daden en zijn doen
HUP Holland HUP
I think anybody can win euro 08 my best team is HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!
HUP HOLLAND HUP HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Latest Odds for Euro 2008 winner (1pm, 22nd June 2008):
Germany: 13/8 (Bet365)
Spain: 7/2 (Ladbrokes)
Russia: 4/1 (888sport)
Italy: 9/2 (William Hill)
Turkey: 12/1 (Bet 365)