Euro 2008 - adopt a team
Europe is about to go football crazy once again as the continent-wide party resumes in Austria and Switzerland.
However, everyone knows it’s not quite all-inclusive, since none of the UK countries will be represented. That doesn’t stop it being a thrilling competition to follow and bet on, so it’s time to adopt a team to follow all the way through.
After the initial disappointment of England’s failure to qualify, we can start to see the up-side - we can choose from any of the competing teams, without being constrained by patriotism, and perhaps our side will actually lift the trophy rather than suffer a painful defeat in a quarter-final penalty shootout.
We have provided an overview of each competing nation and the best odds available to allow you to make up your mind.
Group A
The Czech Republic could be the beer-drinkers team of choice - a few pints of Staropramen and Budvar will go nicely whilst watching a team that ought to progress from the group stages. The Czechs are available at 22/1 with SkyBet.
If you are a Manchester United fan, Portugal could be the team for you and you’ll enjoy seeing Cristiano Ronaldo terrorising the hosts. He’s not the only one with a touch of flair in this side, which also features Deco and Ricardo Quaresma, and that should be enough to see them through. They are 7/1 with Boylesports.
Perhaps you would like to side with the co-hosts, Switzerland? They are notoriously uncontroversial, and that’s exactly why they might be the ideal team for the neutral! Personally, I can’t see them progressing too far, but if you fancy cheering them on, you’ll get odds of 33/1 with totesport.
If the inert Swiss aren’t your cup of tea, maybe you should take on the fiery Turks. Never far from the troublesome action, Turkey are bound to ruffle a few feathers and their team isn’t too bad either. You’ll get around 50/1 on Turkey with Paddy Power.
Group B
It gets a bit political in Group B as a number of central European neighbours square off against a backdrop of turbulent histories. If you are a glory supporter, Germany could be your adopted team as favourites at 4/1 with BetFred and Ladbrokes.
If you prefer a team slightly less straight-laced and more of a crowd favourite, the Austrian side might be for you. As co-hosts they will have a lot of support, but the lack of ability on the pitch probably won’t work in their favour - they are 150-1 outstiders with BetFred.
There may be one or two Polish fans living in the UK, so perhaps you’ll join forces with them as you watch the action. Poland probably won’t play the most exciting attacking football as their strategy seems to be based around defence, but they have a decent chance from emerging from their group - you can back them at 50-1 with Bet365.
Croatia make up a tough group, and although they mightn’t have too much support having sealed England’s fate in qualifying (or not), but the East Europeans could be the surprise team of the tournament. They normally score a few goals, and could be good value at 14/1 with totesport.
Group C
The group of death sees France, Italy, Holland and Romania vying for just two places, and the French will probably be many people’s adopted nation. They have a host of names well-known to followers of the Premiership as well as a guy that looks like a character from Road Trip. You know who I mean - back the French at 9/1 with Bet365.
World Champions Italy will probably fancy their chances should they escape from this group. The Italians have a reputation for fiery tempers, falling out with each other and most importantly beingalmost impenetrable in defence. They are 7/1 with Blue Square.
Holland are also in with a shout of lifting the cup, with the great Marco Van Basten at the helm. You won’t miss them in their bright orange strip, and they will have to play some decent football to reach the knock-out stages - as one of the less-fancied teams in the group, they might just surprise a few people at 7/1 with Coral.
If you are going to pick a team from Group C, will it really be Romania? Can they really emulate Greece’s efforts last time around and completely stun the football world? I doubt it to be honest, and the 50/1 with VCBet probably isn’t worth taking!
Group D
Are you a glory supporter? Well, Greece are the defending champions so why not back them? They will always be the underdogs, written off and ignored, but maybe just maybe Otto Rehhagel’s side can be kings of Europe again and make SkyBet regret their odds of 40/1.
Maybe you are a Chelsea fan and Russia is the team for you. You might win the affections of Roman Abramovich by donning the Russian colours, and you might be interested to see Guus Hiddink (Russia’s manager) in action in case he comes to Stamford Bridge one day. They are 28/1 with Extrabet, among others.
Sweden is always worth a look, and if they win it’s worth considering a move to a country that boasts 50 stunning blonde women to every 1 man (estimated). Henrik Larsson has returned to the squad and there are a few other familiar names such as Olof Mellberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - they are a relatively attractive 40/1 with William Hill.
Finally, and here’s my tip for the tournament, Spain - perennial underachievers like England, they probably won’t disappoint those looking for highly paid stars and appalling penalty displays. With Cesc Fabregas, David Vilaa and Fernando Torres in their ranks, this might just be their year - I’m sure I’ve heard that before, but that’s where my pesetas are going. 11/2 with Extrabet - come on!
If you don’t want to adopt a team, but are just looking for some betting value, get onto Betfair and back Holland - I reckon they’ll get through their group (remember it wasn’t long ago that Italy and France nearly didn’t qualify at all) and then you can lay them off again before the quarters.
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