[Greece v Czech Republic June 12th]

Re: Greece v Czech Republic June 12th

Greece played very well in the second half of the game against Poland but were extremely poor and struggled to cope with Polands high energy approach. The Czechs play a much slower game than the Polish do and this should make it easier for the Greeks to contain them. I think this will be a very tight game as both sides need to win to give them a chance of going through into the knock out stages. Greece are over priced in this game considering the difference in result and performance of both sides in the first round of matches. Greece DNB 2.3 Bet Victor

:( Well done tho those on overs and BTTS

[Greece v Czech Republic June 12th]

Re: Greece v Czech Republic June 12th Greece played very well in the second half of the game against Poland but were extremely poor and struggled to cope with Polands high energy approach. The Czechs play a much slower game than the Polish do and this should make it easier for the Greeks to contain them. I think this will be a very tight game as both sides need to win to give them a chance of going through into the knock out stages. Greece are over priced in this game considering the difference in result and performance of both sides in the first round of matches. Greece DNB 2.3 Bet Victor

[Poland v Russia June 12th]

Re: Poland v Russia June 12th This game is huge and expect it to be a fiery encounter. The fans aren't keen on each other and the tension will spread to the players on the pitch making them edgy and fired up. Both sides will come out and fly into tackles. A point isn't much use to Poland depending on the result in the earlier game between Greece and the Czech Republic. If Russia win they qualify and can take it slightly easier in there final game. Russia come in to this game after battering a poor Czech side 4-1 and it should of been by more if Kerzakhov hadn't missed so many chances. They didn't look particularly impressive in defence and a better striker could punish this. In Lewandoswki Poland have a player capable of scoring and if the midfield can provide him with opportunities he can trouble the Russian defence. Polands defence was pritty poor and was exposed by a Greek side who aren't great going forward. The Russian forwards will be able to cause the Polish defence more problems than the Greeks did. Over 4 Cards 2.25 Ladbrokes Russia Over 1.5 goals 2.5 Ladbrokes

[Ukraine v Sweden > June 11]

Re: Ukraine v Sweden > June 11

Ukraine have had a very poor run of friendlies in the run up to the tournament. In Ukraine's last elven friendlies eight of those games went over 2.5. They have also lost five of those games including against Sweden. Sweden have been in good form winning eight of there last eleven games. Sweden have taken a new attacking approach to there play and have Ibrahimovic playing behind Elmander which has worked well with him scoring five goals in eight qualifying games. They did concede ten goals in qualifying aswell as scoring 25 goals. I can see this being a very open game much like the Ireland Croatia game last night with plenty of goals. Ukraine have been over rated in the betting due to them being the home side so I think good value lies in backing Sweden in some form. Over 2.5 at 2.37 Bet Victor BTTS at 2.1 Ladbrokes Sweden DNB at 2.1 Ladbrokes

Two out of Three in this one. First half was bollocks but a much better attacking second half

[Euro 2012 Livescore Thread]

Re: Euro 2012 Livescore Thread Much better first ten minutes of this second half than the whole first half

[Ukraine v Sweden > June 11]

Re: Ukraine v Sweden > June 11 Ukraine have had a very poor run of friendlies in the run up to the tournament. In Ukraine's last elven friendlies eight of those games went over 2.5. They have also lost five of those games including against Sweden. Sweden have been in good form winning eight of there last eleven games. Sweden have taken a new attacking approach to there play and have Ibrahimovic playing behind Elmander which has worked well with him scoring five goals in eight qualifying games. They did concede ten goals in qualifying aswell as scoring 25 goals. I can see this being a very open game much like the Ireland Croatia game last night with plenty of goals. Ukraine have been over rated in the betting due to them being the home side so I think good value lies in backing Sweden in some form. Over 2.5 at 2.37 Bet Victor BTTS at 2.1 Ladbrokes Sweden DNB at 2.1 Ladbrokes

[Ireland v Croatia > June 10]

Re: Ireland v Croatia > June 10

In qualifying Ireland gave away the most fouls of all the sides left in the competition. I can see them sitting back looking to break down Croatia on the counter attack and making use of set pieces. They will have to nulify the threat of Modric, Kranjcar and Jelavic if they are to get anything out of this. They will struggle to do this especially if Croatia try to hit them on the counter attack. Ireland Most Cards 2.16 Betfair

Referee was very lenient in this game

[Euro 2012 Livescore Thread]

Re: Euro 2012 Livescore Thread Not a great start for Ireland backers. Cracking atmosphere in this game

[Spain v Italy > June 10]

Re: Spain v Italy > June 10

Italy have well documented problems in the run up to this game, with the match fixing scandal and injury concerns over there defence which was the best in qualifying. Italy have been poor in there warm up games and were shocking against Russia. In qualifying they had the second highest amount of possession, which shows the way in which they like to play. However considering there defensive problems I would expect them to sit back abit more and try to stifle Spains attacking strength. Spain tend to struggle to break sides down when they play deep and concentrate on defending. Eventually they will break through but I feel it may take them time to do this. Time Of First Goal 31st Minute and Over 2.05 William Hill

Went pritty much as expected

[Spain v Italy > June 10]

Re: Spain v Italy > June 10 Silva will play the "false nine" position that Messi occupies for Barcelona which he has done on a few occassions for Spain previously. It will be a very fluid formation with the players changing positions

[Spain v Italy > June 10]

Re: Spain v Italy > June 10 Italy have well documented problems in the run up to this game, with the match fixing scandal and injury concerns over there defence which was the best in qualifying. Italy have been poor in there warm up games and were shocking against Russia. In qualifying they had the second highest amount of possession, which shows the way in which they like to play. However considering there defensive problems I would expect them to sit back abit more and try to stifle Spains attacking strength. Spain tend to struggle to break sides down when they play deep and concentrate on defending. Eventually they will break through but I feel it may take them time to do this. Time Of First Goal 31st Minute and Over 2.05 William Hill

[Ireland v Croatia > June 10]

Re: Ireland v Croatia > June 10 In qualifying Ireland gave away the most fouls of all the sides left in the competition. I can see them sitting back looking to break down Croatia on the counter attack and making use of set pieces. They will have to nulify the threat of Modric, Kranjcar and Jelavic if they are to get anything out of this. They will struggle to do this especially if Croatia try to hit them on the counter attack. Ireland Most Cards 2.16 Betfair

[Germany v Portugal > June 9]

Re: Germany v Portugal > June 9

Not too much to add that has already been said on here. I fancy the Germans in this, they have a brilliant attacking side who play fluid football and with players like Ozil, Muller, Klose, Muller and Podolski they have players who can score and create goals. They need to get off to a good start in the group and can see them coming out all guns blazing to put a marker down and show why they are one of the favourites for the tournament. Portugal rely heavily on Ronaldo to score and create most of there opportunites, with him and Nani in the side they have players capable of beating a player and creating chances. The German defence is abit shaky but with Postiga expected to start I doubt he will be able to take the chance that may come his way. Germany 2.2 William Hill

Clawed back some of the loss on the Holland game

[Holland v Denmark - June 9]

Re: Holland v Denmark - June 9

I fancy the dutch in this. Against the weakest side in the group they simply must win or the pressure will really be on them. They have plenty of fantastic attacking players to choose from who are all capable of creating and scoring goals. They scored 37 goals in qualifying which was considerably more than any other side. The Danes conceded 6 goals in qualifying as group winners. I can see this being an open game with chances for both sides to score goals. Holland Over 1.5 Team Goals 1.9 Ladbrokes Holland 1.67 William Hill

Unbelivable game, the amount of chances Holland had and then wasted was ridiculous. The normally reliable Van Persie, Huntelaar missed easy chances and others aswell. Looks like most on here lost out

[Germany v Portugal > June 9]

Re: Germany v Portugal > June 9 Not too much to add that has already been said on here. I fancy the Germans in this, they have a brilliant attacking side who play fluid football and with players like Ozil, Muller, Klose, Muller and Podolski they have players who can score and create goals. They need to get off to a good start in the group and can see them coming out all guns blazing to put a marker down and show why they are one of the favourites for the tournament. Portugal rely heavily on Ronaldo to score and create most of there opportunites, with him and Nani in the side they have players capable of beating a player and creating chances. The German defence is abit shaky but with Postiga expected to start I doubt he will be able to take the chance that may come his way. Germany 2.2 William Hill

[EURO 2012 - Outright Winner & Top Goalscorer]

Re: EURO 2012 - Outright Winner & Top Goalscorer

I don't think it's a good move to pick one of the Russian strikers for top goalscorer as Kerzakhov' date=' Pogrebnyak and Pavyluchenko shared the one striking birth in qualifying. These are the number of starts each player had in qualifying; Pogrebnyak 2, Kerzakhov 4, Pavyluchenko 4. From this I think it's risky to back one of the strikers as it's hard to guess who will start upfront for them. A [b']better bet might be Dzagoev at 208/1 on betfair who was joint top scorer with 4 in qualifying. Personally I wouldn't pick a Russian for top scorer myself as it's too difficult to predict who will start and I don't like backing midfielders for top scorer especially those in weaker sides

How I wish I had taken that bet, in at 12/1 now

[Holland v Denmark - June 9]

Re: Holland v Denmark - June 9 I see Holland are drifting in the market, could make the price even more appealing. If it goes up much more I'll be taking the new price aswell

[Holland v Denmark - June 9]

Re: Holland v Denmark - June 9 I fancy the dutch in this. Against the weakest side in the group they simply must win or the pressure will really be on them. They have plenty of fantastic attacking players to choose from who are all capable of creating and scoring goals. They scored 37 goals in qualifying which was considerably more than any other side. The Danes conceded 6 goals in qualifying as group winners. I can see this being an open game with chances for both sides to score goals. Holland Over 1.5 Team Goals 1.9 Ladbrokes Holland 1.67 William Hill

[Russia v Czech Republic > June 8]

Re: Russia v Czech Republic > June 8

Thought long and hard about this game and have decided to go for Russia. I fancy them to win the group with the attacking qualities they posses which is far superior to those in the rest of the group. I can see it being hard for Russia to beak down the Czech defence but with Baros a doubt and no other striker of any quality to come in they don't look like posing much of a risk. Rosicky will be heavily relied on to create chances and I can't see him carrying the whole side. Fancy the Russians to just nick it probably by only the one goal. Russia 2.25 BetVictor Russia by one goal 3.6 BetVictor

My main bet came in. Russia look a good side going forward, not convinced about them defensively

[Euro 2012 Livescore Thread]

Re: Euro 2012 Livescore Thread Russia look a threat going forwards, not very convincing in defence though

[Poland v Greece > June 8]

Re: Poland v Greece > June 8

All the pressure is on Poland in this game being the home nation and being expected to win. In there friendly games they have only lost one of the last twelve games which was against Italy. Eleven of these twelve friendly games were played at home. They do however struggle to score goals taking out the four goal beating of Andorra they have scored just 13 goals in eleven games. They will be relying on Lewandowski to score them there goals' date=' but with a midfield which isn't blessed with creativity it will be hard for them to brake down a stubborn Greece defence which conceded just five goals in qualifying as group winners. Greece only scored more than once in four of there qualifying games and managed just fourteen in total. The front three are often left to there own devices with the rest of the side being quite negative in there approach and are a threat from set pieces. They have experience in there side with several of there EURO 2004 winning side included in the squad. I think this will be a low scoring game but won't take odds of around 1.44 for unders which is just too short for me. I will take [b']Greece DNB 2.9, as I feel they have a decent chance of getting atleast a point out of the opening game. Greece DNB 2.9 BetVictor

Money back. Greece deserved to win it in the end, shame Karagounis missed the penalty

[EURO 2012 - Outright Winner & Top Goalscorer]

Re: EURO 2012 - Outright Winner & Top Goalscorer I think Germany will go far in this tournament and are in a very open attack minded group which should yield plenty of goals. Podolski has a fantastic record for Germany and will be a definite starter wereas Klose and Gomez will probably share the lone striker role. With Ozil in the side providing the passes there should be plenty of chances for the Germans to score goals. At odds of 34 I see value in backing him E/W. Podolski E/W Top Scorer 34 Bet365

[Russia v Czech Republic > June 8]

Re: Russia v Czech Republic > June 8 Thought long and hard about this game and have decided to go for Russia. I fancy them to win the group with the attacking qualities they posses which is far superior to those in the rest of the group. I can see it being hard for Russia to beak down the Czech defence but with Baros a doubt and no other striker of any quality to come in they don't look like posing much of a risk. Rosicky will be heavily relied on to create chances and I can't see him carrying the whole side. Fancy the Russians to just nick it probably by only the one goal. Russia 2.25 BetVictor Russia by one goal 3.6 BetVictor

[EURO 2012 - Group Winners & Qualification]

Re: EURO 2012 - Group Winners & Qualification France have been brilliant under Laurent Blanc who has seen them be unbeaten in there last 21 games. With plenty of new players brought into the squad they have turned there fortunes around. With Benzema now favoured upfront they have a genuine goalscorer and players to feed him in, Ribery, Nasri, Cabaye and Menez. They have struck the right balance between attack and defence condeding just four in qualifying whilst scoring fifteen. IMO the other qualifying spot is up for grabs with France being the only side from this group capable of going past the quarter finals. With the runner up of group D likely to face Spain in the quarter finals it's massively important to win the group. France to win Group D 2.62 BetVictor

[Poland v Greece > June 8]

Re: Poland v Greece > June 8 All the pressure is on Poland in this game being the home nation and being expected to win. In there friendly games they have only lost one of the last twelve games which was against Italy. Eleven of these twelve friendly games were played at home. They do however struggle to score goals taking out the four goal beating of Andorra they have scored just 13 goals in eleven games. They will be relying on Lewandowski to score them there goals, but with a midfield which isn't blessed with creativity it will be hard for them to brake down a stubborn Greece defence which conceded just five goals in qualifying as group winners. Greece only scored more than once in four of there qualifying games and managed just fourteen in total. The front three are often left to there own devices with the rest of the side being quite negative in there approach and are a threat from set pieces. They have experience in there side with several of there EURO 2004 winning side included in the squad. I think this will be a low scoring game but won't take odds of around 1.44 for unders which is just too short for me. I will take Greece DNB 2.9, as I feel they have a decent chance of getting atleast a point out of the opening game. Greece DNB 2.9 BetVictor