Ben Duggan Euro 2008 Sports Column

23/6/08 - My my…

Well, well who’d of thought eh? Holland out, Italy out, Croatia losing to the Turks? My my, isn’t the semi-final stage of this tournament set-up beautifully?

I’m sitting pretty right now, I tipped the Russians to win the thing and had a cheeky tenner on them at 33/1, so as you can imagine I’m fully signed up to the Russian fan club right now. As luck would have it, I also drew Spain in the office sweepstake so I could be on to something here.

The quarter-finals went from the sublime to the ridiculous. Germany and Portugal put on a wonderful show of thrilling, attacking football. I had a sneaky feeling for the Germans, just because they’re past masters at winning big, big games. In the end sloppy defensive errors by the Portugese left Phil Scolari departing for Stamford Bridge quicker than he hoped.

Croatia and Turkey - and the Turks were the main culprits - served up a load of old dribble of a game. Turkey went into the game looking for penalties and I for one was gutted when they squeezed through. Still, to their immense credit they have a wonderful team spirit that could see them emulate the Greeks and be the surprise ticket of the last four. I have a feeling though, with their injuries and the Germans class it could well be the end for them on Wednesday night.

Then there was the jewel in the crown, a marvellous game was played out between the Dutch and Russians with Arshavin the star of the show. Hiddink’s men have done exactly what you need to do in International tournament and that is get better with every single game and make sure you are there in the latter stages of the competition. Holland, well, they quite simply peaked too soon, they were a complete joy to watch and in many ways would have been worthy winners of Euro 2008 but in the end were undone by a player of real, genuine talent that could go on a grace the footballing stage for many years to come.

Much like the Turkish side it seemed the Italians were ready for the penalty shoot-out as the whistle blew for the start of the game. I can’t find it in myself too sad about there exit, they may be World Champions but they offer very little going forward and their two genuine world-class players happen to be a goalkeeper and a centre-half. How very Italian. The Spanish can count themselves very lucky though. Their coach Aragones wants his head examining if you ask me, how you can leave a player of Fabregas’ quality on the bench is beyond me. From the moment he came on to the pitch on Sunday he lit up an otherwise thoroughly dull game, and then he slots the winning penalty in with all the composure in the world.

So the semis then; well I think the power of the Germans will see them through in what looks to be a bit of a political grudge match against Terim’s Turkey side. While in the other game Hiddink will have to make sure his side aren’t outplayed in the same way they were when Spain thrashed them 4-1 in the group stages. I don’t think lightening will strike twice though, Spain have got worse in recent games, Villa’s goals have dried up and Torres seems to be out of favour with the out going Spanish manger so I’m predicting a Germany Russia final, but with £330 riding on the Russians I would say that wouldn’t I?

12/6/08 - So far, so good…

That’s all the teams with a game under their belt then and funnily enough I’ve been revising my tips! Rather stupidly it would seem I fancied the Russians to go on and win the trophy. Well, that now looks about as likely as Steve McLaren returning to the England manager’s job anytime soon.

Guus Hiddink’s men got a walloping in Innsbruck last night as David Villa placed one hand on the golden boot, but surely the story of the week was the scintillating Dutch destroying the World Champions Italy by the small matter of three goals to nil. The other teams in the tournament can only hope the Marco Van Basten’s men haven’t peaked too soon as they were simply breathtaking to watch.

One thing I may have made a decent shout on so far is the French being sent home early, they were shocking in the opening game against Romania and now look to have a tough job on their hands if they’re to progress.

Having seen just about all of the games so far I reckon we’re looking at a last eight of: Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Holland, Italy (yes, still), Spain and Sweden.

So roll on the next batch of group games as it starts get serious now, another defeat for teams who have already have lost will see them eliminated and players on their summer holidays. This is almost fun, even without England…

8/6/08 - Off and Running…

It’s started then, with no real shocks either. Let’s hope there are some strange results otherwise having a punt on anything Euro 2008 could get dull. I spent the weekend looking at a couple of bets other than winners for the competition.

Being a high risk high reward kind of geezer I have offered a decent bet where you could earn a big drink and good value on the World Champion that should sort out a little drink.

Highest Goal scorer

Difficult one this, there will be obvious choices in the shape of Torres, Klose, Henry, Ronaldo, and no doubt the odds on Podolski tumbled after his brace last night against Poland.

The real value for money is surely in some outside bets such the lad Gomez for Germany, six goals in eleven games suggests he knows where the net is. Arshavin may have a reputation for creating rather than scoring but looking at the odds on Friday he was a whopping 30/1 to finish top scorer, and bearing in mind half-a-dozen goals will tie-up the golden boot, that looks a good place to put a fiver. Other players that could cause a shock in the scoring charts are Spurs’ new £16million pound-man Luka Modric – already off and running with his penalty securing Croatia three points against joint hosts Austria. Both Jan Koller and Milan Baros seem to have been around for ever, but both excel for the Czech Republic and Baros already has one golden boot to his name in international tournament football.

I’m personally tipping Van Persie of Holland, a tidy bet at roundabout 33/1. Available at Ladbrokes – Click Here

Winners of Group C – The Group of Death

With no England to follow my eye was immediately drawn to this group as it promises some mouth watering clashes, starting tonight with World Champions Italy taking on the Netherlands. France and Romania make up the other two sides but calling a group winner could be very difficult. The French will be desperate to get off to a winning start tonight, traditionally they are slow starters in tournaments, but there will be no time for that as going into a game against either of the other two sides needing a win will be a huge gamble for Les Bleu. I’m going to go for the Italians to win the group with Holland coming second and France being surprisingly sent packing early. Disagree?

Email me at ben@expertfootball.co.uk and tell me why and I’ll do my best to answer all responses.  Italy as group winners is available with Betdaq at 15 / 8 click here

5/6/08 - Five to watch…

Well, we’re nearly there and I’ve been siphoning through the names who I expect to light-up Euro 2008 this summer and I’ve whittled the list down to five players who I am most looking forward watching from Saturday. Disagree? Email me your opinions and I’ll look out for any suggestions, failing that why not put your money where your mouth is and have a cheeky punt?

 

Andrei Arshavin

The little midfielder from Leningrad has the potential to light-up the tournament, his silky skills led his side Zenit St. Petersburg to the UEFA Cup final this year and the 27 year old’s temperament and ability to perform on the biggest stage of all, could mean he leads his country to glory in Vienna later this month.

At the back of his mind will surely be that a good show in Europe this summer could lead to a mega-bucks move to a leading Western club. Premier League scouts are going to be watching closely as the countdown to transfer deadline day will mean the usual scramble for big name signings and Arshavin could top managers list for ‘must buy’.

Frank Ribery

Many eyebrows were raised when the French winger decided to join German giants Bayern Munich last summer, especially as Bayern were devoid of Champions league football this term. Since his move to the Bavaria region, Ribery has dazzled and while Les Bleu are seemingly unfancied this summer his undoubted talent could help his nation lift the trophy they won so gloriously back in 2000.

Cristiano Ronaldo

There are few superlatives left for Manchester United’s dazzling winger, but the boy from Madeira is likely to dominate the headlines until the end of the summer. Real Madrid’s relentless pursuit of the Portuguese international could mean the English game loses one of its finest ever talents.

One question that hangs over the player that is still just 23, is his ability to perform on the biggest stage of all. Certainly his first-half showing in the Champions League Final suggests he is capable, but transferring that to an international competition is a different matter. Indeed, the whole of Portugal and Europe will be watching.

Luka Modric

Spurs jumped the queue this summer to sign the little Croatian midfielder who had a huge part in England’s failure to qualify for this summer’s party. Early suggestions are that he might be too small to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League, but there is enough talent in the boy from Zadar to suggest he could be a superstar on the world stage. He and his Croatian team are fancied to do well and Modric will be a key component to his side’s success.

Phillip Lahm

The outstanding German left-back was one of the undoubted success stories of the last World Cup, his magnificent opening goal of the tournament drew many admiring glances from England, Italy and Spain but Lahm has stayed with Bayern Munich.

Without Fabio Cannavaro, Euro 2008 could struggle for world-class defenders but Lahm is sure to be near the top of candidates for team of the tournament and once again Europe will be watching closely.

E-mail: ben@expertfootball.co.uk

4/6/08 - Euro 2008 Extraordinaire

So, here we are, Euro 2008. Excited? Well you should be; the quality of players on show this summer means, potentially, it could be a tournament to remember.

Firstly, let me introduce myself - after all, I’ll going to be your host – Ben Duggan, award-winning sports writer (check your facts before laughing, the lawyers are watching).

The point of this will be a glorified column here on Expert Football. Within that I hope to provide tips, expert analysis and hopefully some humour as Europe prepares itself for a football festival.

Like any good pundit, I’m going to get the predictions out-of-the-way. My head tells me it could be the Russians who claim the crown on June 29 and why not, Greece showed last time that disciplined, effective football, coupled with an acute coach can overcome the more highly-skilled individuals in lesser teams.

As we countdown to next weekend here at Expert Football we’ll be looking to keep you up-to-date with everything Euro 2008 giving you the reader all the information you need to cash-in on this summer’s football.

Look out for more soon!

Ben Duggan