Now that we've seen all the teams

hotspur

I missed a lot of the Portugal match so I can't speak to their chances other than to say they looked all over a very poor Turkish team from what I saw. I also missed the Czech game. Germany, Netherlands, and Spain are the stand out teams, and it's hard t see anyone else figuring judging on the 1st round matches. But screw the winner market.

Looking to the upcoming matches I now like the look of (using Paddypower odds):

Germany to beat Croatia 5/6 - big flip flop for me here, fancied the Croats until their insipid and amateurish display against Austria. Would need a monumental reversal of both team's opening performances for this to go any other way.

Netherlands to beat France 7/4 - France were bad in many ways other than their defence. They had no central midfield zest which is exactly what the Netherlands had. Benzema looked overawed by the occasion, Anelka was isolated and forced to play with his back to goal which doesn't suit him, Malouda just isn't that good, and Ribery was the only source of real midfield creativity. I think the Netherlands will run them off the park and get a win. But the best bet is probably to lay France at 2/1 on Betfair.

Spain should easily beat Sweden at 7/10 - Sweden's defence will not be able to handle the intricate passing of Spain and quite simply will be outclassed.

Netherlands are 5/6 to beat Romania - always difficult to judge game 3 when you don't know the lie of the land after game 2, and the Netherlands will probably be through by then, but I thought Romania were lacking in quality and it looks a decent bet to me.

Anyone got an opinion on these, or have another game you like the look of? If the Greeks are still in contention when they play Spain I fancy a boatload of cards from them in the game. Having just started in running betting for the 1st time I really like that way of betting.

Culchie

To me, it looks like the Germans are the team to beat.

Spain and Holland looked most 'impressive' but I can't remember one major championship yet, where the team that got off to a flyer, went on to win.

Portugal haven't got the firepower.

Sweden look decent, hard to beat anyway. Italy and France are past it.

I'm sticking with Croatia and think they'll get a draw against Germany.

I'm not really into match betting, I did lump on Croatia V Switzerland.

callaway92

I cant believe how people think that Croatia can possibly win this..Without Eduardo they are nothing and are highly overrated..Spain to win at 4-1

Culchie

callaway92 wrote: »

I cant believe how people think that Croatia can possibly win this..Without Eduardo they are nothing and are highly overrated..Spain to win at 4-1

Sure the money (small is it is) has been placed, got to look on the bright side.

Greece hadn't too many supporters this time 4 years ago either.

I can't see past Germany or Spain.

Bubs101

Culchie wrote: »

Portugal haven't got the firepower.
.

I disagree. Any team that specialises in wingers and has two target men as their main strikers should be safeish in terms of goals not to mention that they have the golden boot winner in their side. Hardly lacking goals. Still think that Portugal are the team to beat, mainly because they have an incredibly solid defence as well as an attack capable of scoring. Left back is a worry

dsmythy

Well i think out of all the eye catchers the Dutch have to be the most impressive considering who they impressed against. Them and the Spanish could meet in the quarters if things go a certain way. Should be a cracker if they meet at some point.

I wouldn't go mad over 4/1 about Spain just yet. They are in the tougher part of the draw after all.

nhughes100

Spain are as ever flattering to decieve. That match could have ended up 4-4, The Russians hit the bar twice. I was actually reasonably impressed with Sweden, mainly with their patience given how negative the Greeks were playing and kicking lumps out of them. I like the look of Holland although I'm going to have a look and see who has the average youngest team, I think aging teams has been the theme of Euro2008 so far and I think after playing 3 games in little over a week the legs are going to show.

Agree that the Dutch to beat France at 7/4 is a pretty good bet.

Culchie

callaway92 wrote: »

I cant believe how people think that Croatia can possibly win this..Without Eduardo they are nothing and are highly overrated.

"Now that's what I'm talking about"

badbrian

I think Russia represent the value. They weren't as bad as their opening defeat, have a manager with an excellent record and are 50/1 (EW of course)
Of course I know they could be out next game but they should be good enough to get past Sweden and Greece in which case 50's would look a monster price when they are in the last 8

Culchie

Boom Boom Boom Shake the room:pac:

hotspur

I'm flip flopping again, Croatia are splendid. Will easily beat whichever bums make it out of Group A in 2nd place surely. Also even though they are already confirmed top 7/4 seems like a decent price for them to beat that rather dreadful Polish team with the laughable high line defence.

dsmythy

hotspur wrote: »

I'm flip flopping again, Croatia are splendid. Will easily beat whichever bums make it out of Group A in 2nd place surely. Also even though they are already confirmed top 7/4 seems like a decent price for them to beat that rather dreadful Polish team with the laughable high line defence.

Problem is they will have sorted out that problem obvious as it is. Even if they did though they wil probably still lose. Another disappointing campaign for them.