This summer’s Euro 2012 football championships in Poland and Ukraine has all the makings of a classic, with sixteen of Europe’s top national teams battling it out for supremacy. The online gaming world is hoping to see some of the excitement surrounding the tournament translates into increased casual bets and a boost to 2012 revenue. Bellerockentertainment.com reported recently that online sports betting is on an upward trend at online casinos, and online sports betting and online casino sites will be hoping that the major European championship will contribute even further to this growth.
The reigning Euro and World champions Spain are the obvious favourites, but there are a few other teams that stand a chance of causing them an upset. Here are the current best odds for each team:
Spain
It has often been said that Spain’s reserve team could beat any first team in the world, and a quick look at the talent on the fringes of the team, such as David Silva and Cesc Fabregas, only serves to confirm this. Currently, Spain are odds on to reach the final, and 257/100 to win it.
Italy
Having underperformed at recent tournaments, Italy will be looking to get back to their world-beating best at Euro 2012. They certainly have quality throughout the team, with superstars such as Giampaolo Pazzini, Mario Balotelli, Daniel De Rossi and Gigi Buffon. At present, they are 6/1 to reach the final, and 16/1 to win it.
Germany
After an impressing by their young side in South Africa, Germany will be looking to kick on at Euro 2012. With players such as Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, and Mario Gomez, they certainly have the quality to cause an upset. The on-song Gomez is the favourite to be the competition’s top scorer at 9/1, and the team are 7/5 to reach the final and 7/2 to win it.
Holland
The losing World Cup finalists copped a fair bit of flak for their physical style of play in the World Cup final, but they remain a force to be reckoned with, especially with players such as Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van Der Vaart, and Arjen Robben in their ranks. On-fire Arsenal frontman in 12-1 for the Golden Boot, and the team are 3/1 to reach the final and 31/4 to come home with the trophy.
England
Once again, England are going into a major tournament with high hopes, but the jury is out as to whether they have the quality to go all the way. Top striker Wayne Rooney is banned for the first two games, captain John Terry has been sacked by the FA for alleged racial abuse, and their squad is mainly composed of ageing superstars such as Steven Gerrard and inexperienced but promising youngsters such as Phil Jones. The team are 9/2 to reach the final, and 10/1 to win it.
Of the rest of the teams in the tournament, the strongest contenders appear to be France at 12-1, who can boast good players but a poor recent tournament record, Russia, who at 20/1 are beginning to emerge as serious contenders, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, also at 20/1 to win the tournament.
