Euro 2008
2008-06-08 - Group B Preview vs
A Sports Betting Pick by Mike
Germany : Croatia : Austria : Poland
Germans Worthy Favourites to Top Group B
PinnacleSports Odds : Group win 1.65 :: Title win 5.12
Germany are worthy favourites in the group betting markets at PinnacleSports.com to top Pool B at Euro 2008. Priced 1.65 they are the shortest team in any of the four group betting markets, reflecting the positive progress of the side from their surprise semi-final appearance in the 2006 World Cup, and the important influence of the strong support they will enjoy.
The Germans were top-scorers in qualification, but haven’t won a game at the European Championship finals since winning the trophy at Wembley in 1996 – losing three and drawing three.
Several of coach, Joachim Low’s key players should arrive fresh for their opening game against Poland in Klagenfurt. Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski, Lukas Podolski and Christoph Metzelder have all only recently returned from long-term injury, so as long as they have recovered full fitness, should give the Germans extra vitality.
It has been suggested that Greece’s success in Euro 2004 was in part due to similar circumstances and PinnacleSports.com make Germany top favourites to win the title.
Avoiding Early Exit Is Austria’s Main Ambition
PinnacleSports Odds : Group win 14.63 :: Title win 131.00
Austria coach, Josef Hickersberger, has arguably the toughest job at Euro 2008. He has to mould a squad of very average players into a winning unit, that can avoid the embarrassment of an early exit despite the benefit of home support.
Having both played and coached at World Cup finals, Hickersberger knows what is needed to succeed at the highest level, but his inexperienced squad face a steep learning curve.
Qualifying automatically as hosts, Austria have only had friendlies to prepare, with soft opponents chosen in the hope of providing a boost to confidence.
That hasn’t worked out as planned, as up to May the co-hosts had won just one of their previous 14 games, suggesting that Austria will be the whipping boys of Group B.
This is reflected in the Euro 2008 betting odds where Austria are the rank outsiders in the outright winner’s market at $131.00.
None of the Austrian squad are household names going into Euro 2008, but each has a golden opportunity to step forward and help their country to an unlikely success.
Croatians Likely Dark Horses to Upset Big Names
PinnacleSports Odds : Group win 3.64 :: Title win 15.50
After leading Croatia to Euro 2008 as winners of qualification group E ahead of England, coach, Slaven Bilic, has been tipped by many to take charge of one of Europe’s big club sides.
Several of his squad are also tipped to go on to greater things, with 22 year old Luka Modric already captured by Tottenham Hotspur for a club record £21.5 million. Modric joins 21 year old defender, Vedran Corluka in the Premiership, who joined Manchester City for an estimated £8million.
This Croatia side must deal with the legacy of the success of the national side at the 1998 World Cup (which included Bilic), who are immortalised at home.
Croatia were dealt a blow when Brazilian born striker, Eduardo da Silva, suffered a horrific broken leg playing for Arsenal, ruling him out of the tournament.
The Croatians are second favourites to win this group and are seen as potentiaol dark horses to win Euro 2008 outright as 7th favourite.
Poland Looking to Enjoy Euro 2008 Finals Debut
PinnacleSports Odds : Group win 9.95 :: Title win 64.00
Though Poland have enjoyed success at the World Cup, famously finishing third in 1982, this will be their first appearance at the European Championships.
Their passage was booked on the back of nine goals from striker, Euzebiusz Smolarek, whose father Włodzimierz played in that bronze medal winning side.
Coach, Leo Beenhakker, has a wealth of experience at club and national level, which helped steer the Poles to the finals.
There was disappointment in March with a 3-0 home defeat by the USA, but the Dutch boss insisted it was ‘no reason to lose faith’. Poland aren’t considered likely winners, despite the benefit of a strong travelling army of supporters.
Games against Austria and Germany will be highly charged local derbies that should raise the level of performance of what is an ordinary looking Polish squad.
The Pick :
CROATIA and GERMANY to qualify
