Euro 2008 poised for exciting finish in group play
Posted on 6/16/2008 7:09:58 PM
By Todd Shale
Euro 2008 action is heating up and BetOnline.com has all the match-up details you need for making soccer picks. This week, group play winds to a close and the quarterfinals begin.
The French (+2500 odds to win the tourney) and Italians (+1600 odds to win the tourney) will be fighting for their lives when Group C plays on Tuesday, though they'll need help too. If the Romanians beat Holland—a possibility, since the Dutch have locked up the group and have nothing to play for—both France and Italy are eliminated. If Romania loses or draws, the winner of France-Italy moves on to the quarterfinals. Thus far, France has played to a nil-nil draw with Romania and was spanked 4-1 by the Netherlands. The Italians also lost big to Holland, dropping a 3-0 decision, while drawing 1-1 with Romania. Neither team has played well thus far, but this will be one of the toughest soccer picks to make during the entire tournament.
Group play wraps up Wednesday, when Group D squares off. Russia (+3300 odds to win the tourney) and Sweden (+3300 odds to win the tourney) are battling to advance, with the winner moving on to face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. The Swedes opened Euro 2008 with an impressive 2-0 win over Greece, but they suffered a tough loss to Spain on the weekend, giving up a goal in the 90th minute. The team's best player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scored in the 34th minute but was substituted at half because of a knee problem. The situation should be monitored closely.
Underdog Russia was handily defeated 4-1 by Spain in its first game, though it rebounded against Greece with a 1-0 win. The team severely outplayed Greece and will get some extra juice against Sweden when Andrei Arshavin returns from suspension. Sweden certainly should be the favorite but, with Imbrahimovic's health in question, anything can happen. It should be an entertaining match.
Get your soccer picks in now—the Euro 2008 quarterfinals begin Thursday, when Portugal faces the runner-up in Group B. Crotia, the Netherlands and Spain follow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively, playing runners-up from Groups A,D and C.
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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