Euro 2008 outright bets

Im really looking forward to the next 4 weeks or so with non-stop football to bring us closer to the kick off of the domestic leagues.
Il jump straight in and I think that Germany are going to be there or thereabouts come June 29th. Interestingly they have not won a game at the Euro championships since 1996! But I think they have a tough defensive unit and are once more a team to follow as I expect them to grind out a few 1 – 0 narrow wins. Ballack is 100% fit for a change and I think the draw has favoured them so they have a slightly easier run to the knock out stages then others.

Another candidate that I have is Spain. It sounds strange to say it, as they have been guilty of choking many times before but its just too hard to ignore a team with as many stars as they have. Fabregas, Torres, Casillas, Silva etc, the names are all familiar and if they gel together then they have potential to go all the way. As with the Germans the group draws have favoured them and they are favourites to get to the next round.

Winners

Germany (5 @ centrebet) 3 points
Spain (6.55 @ pinnacle) 3 points

Group stages.
Group A
Maybe not the most original of picks but its very hard to ignore Scolari and Portugal to emerge as group winners. The reason is simple. The Czech republic are second favourites and I was not at all impressed with them as they struggled to draw with Ireland away in Dublin and just about did enough to beat the Irish at home. Being from Ireland I know just how poor this current Irish side is and I would have expected the Czech team to be far more convincing. Take Rosicky out from the middle and to me they look a little tame, who can forget his piledrivers at the last world cup. Up front they don’t do enough to convince me.
The two others are Switzerland and Turkey in this group and who’s to say either of these two cant progress? The Swiss are built around a firm defensive unit but then again as an Arsenal fan I know just what Senderos is capable of. Home advantage will help but will it be enough?
Turkey are the outsiders for this group and im not sure why, fair enough they face Portugal in the opening game but at least will head into the Swiss game knowing exactly how important the win will be. This is their first finals appearance since their third-placed finish at World Cup 2002 but need to tighten up at the back to do well. I expect the Turkish to score a few goals and give themselves a fighting chance.

Il go with Portugal as group winners here, I fully expect them to take at least 2 wins and a draw in the group and emerge as winners. All the talk lately is of Ronaldo and he will be out to impress. Im expecting big things from Quaresma too. For second place I think there might be a surprise here and think the Swiss might be that surprise.

PICK
Portugal group A winners (2.38 @ bluesq) 5 points
Portugal 1st/ Switzerland 2nd (6.5 @ paddy power) – 2 points



Top goalscorer

This is a tricky market to predict but if you want to find the top goalscorer then you have to look to the teams that will be around the longest and I think that a German has the best chance of taking this award. Michael Ballack is coming into this tournament on form and fresh having missed a large chunk of Chelsea’s season. Take into consideration the teams in Germany’s group, Austria a team they should beat with ease, Poland and Croatia will be a little more difficult but they should still get through both of these games with maybe a 1 or 2 – 0 scoreline.
Ballack is likely to kick any free kicks or penalties that come up making the 40/1 about him getting the golden boot most generous.
It should also be mentioned that Ballack is the bookies favourite to be named player of the tournament and at 10/1 he is also worth a shout here too. His presence is immense and he always plays well for his country.
Not much more to say on him really, the prices are too big to ignore and well worth a shot considering how much of a lottery this market can be

PICK
Ballck to win the golden boot (41 @ canbet) 2 points
Ballack- player of the tournament (10 @ boylesports) 3 points