Bettor's Edge soccer picks for Euro 2008 semifinals
Posted on 6/23/2008 10:13:56 AM
By Todd Shale
Euro 2008 is winding to a close, but there's still time to make a few more soccer picks. The tournament has been whittled down to the final four teams, and the semifinals begin Wednesday.
If someone had told you a few weeks ago that Russia and Turkey would make the semis, you'd have said they were crazy. That someone also would have cleaned up if they were a sports bettor. Both teams are considerable underdogs and neither will be favored this week when they face off against Spain and Germany.
On Wednesday, the Germans and Turks will face off. Turkey advanced after a wild, improbable win against Croatia. The game was scoreless late into extra time when Ivan Klasnic scored in the 119th minute. Turkey was unfazed, responding with the equalizer a few moments later to send the game to penalty kicks. Croatia was clearly rattled and performed poorly in the shoot out, giving Turkey the win.
Germany began the tournament looking rather sloppy, but they seemed to find some juice after group play and are on a roll. Last Thursday's 3-2 win over Portugal showed what the Germans are capable of. Bastian Schweinstager and Miroslav Klose scored in the 22nd and 26th minutes to give their team an early 2-0 lead. Portugal responded with a goal late in the half, but Michael Ballack scored the game winner in the 62nd. An early favorite that recovered from a slow start, you have to like Germany's odds to win this game and the entire tourney.
The Russians got a shocking 3-1 win over the Netherlands on Saturday. The Dutch had rolled through the tournament, easily handling anyone in their way, but Russia put a stop to that. Roman Pavlyuchenko put the Russians up 1-0 in the 56th minute. Ruud van Nistelrooy gave his team life, though, by heading in a ball in the 86th. It was all for naught, as Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin scored late in extra time to seal the win.
Spain turned a 0-0 draw with Italy through extra time into a 4-2 win after penalties. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas played fantastic, turning away shots in regulation and the shoot out to earn his team a win. The Spaniards weren't without their scoring chances throughout the match, they were just unable to capitalize. With the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres creating up front, sports bettors shouldn't put too much stock in the lack of goals in this game. Spain is a good bet to come through against Russia.
The tournament is nearly over, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some great soccer action with the BetOnline.com Sportsbook. Log in now and make your soccer picks for Euro 2008.
Are you a fan of “The Beautiful Game”? Then you should
try Todd Shale's “Beautiful picks”. Though he enjoys a good rugby match, Todd
is happiest when he can handicap a great soccer match - or football match, as
he prefers to call it. Thoughts or questions?
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