Euro 2008 picks

[blackcrow]

Croatia win and -1.5
There is real presence of team unity and focus about the Croatian team as they see these championships as an opportunity for the world to stand and really notice the quality they have in their side. They have grown in stature during the tournament that was evidenced by their convincing win over Germany, and now would be feeling confident of beating Turkey, who are missing some key players like Cetin and Aurelio. While the Turks will battle hard, the quality they are missing in the midfield and the backline will see these weaknesses exposed as the Croatians are on a mission, and with the way they beat the Germans, this should see the likes of Modric, Rakitic and Kranjcar cause plenty of problems for Turkey. Turkey has shown a tendency to concede goals and while the Croatian defence is underrated. Croatia should win this by a couple of goals.

 

[blackcrow]

Croatia win and -1.5

You don't score you don't win. Can't believe the chances that were missed. Should have won both bets

 

[blackcrow]

DAY 16

Spain - Italy over 2.5 and over 3.5
These quarter final games are harder to pick than a broken nose. All three games have seen the form line go out the window and upsets have occurred but i think this is one game where a favourite prevails. While Italy have the wood over Spain, i'm still not convinced they are playing well at the moment to justify them going through into the semi finals. They have lost their central modfeld with Pirlo and Gattuso out, while their defence is shaky with no Cannavaro. Up front, Toni continues to struggle to score but may find this game more to his liking.
The Spanish on the other hand, have shown their attacking potential with 8 goals in their 3 games. Villa and Torres have caused plenty of problems for the opposition defences but their midfield has been just as impressive. At the back though, they have been found out on occasions and have allowed a goal in every game. They don't have the height that most other countries have at this level so look to the italians to use this weakness to pump long balls up front.
Spain will probably win this but the over is more likely to happen with both sides having weaknesses in their backlines, so chances and hence goals are likely.

 

[blackcrow]

DAY 16

Spain - Italy over 2.5 and over 3.5

Nowhere near it

 

[blackcrow]

Germany -1.5 and -2.5
A methodical and disciplined German side should easily account for the Turks here. The Germans are at full strength for this game and will look to ensure that the Turks don't have the stamina nor belief to hold on like they did against Croatia by scoring an early goal and knocking the stuffing out of them. If Olic had scored early on then Croatia would have won by a few goals as the Turks looked disorganised at the back and didn't threaten up front. Look to the Germans to ensure this doesn't repeat itself by putting their chances away. But not only will they want to score early, but also score a few, as with the history of racial tension between the two, pride will ensure that the Germans inflict a heavy defeat on them. The Turks had alot of luck in the game against Croatia, and now with even a more dire situation for them, without more players and the fact that the Germans have two very good strikers in Klose and Podolski, i can't see this being a close game but a resounding victory.

 

[blackcrow]

Germany -1.5

and -2.5

Badly in need of a winner

 

[blackcrow]

Spain - Russia over 2.5 and over 3.5

Spain are loaded with attacking talent and probably have the best stiking duo in Torres and Villa. They also are supported by some pretty good midfielders like Fabregas who should provide some good opportunities for these guys against a Russian defence that is missing their main defender in Kolodin who is out suspended.
Russia are improved quite a bit from their 4-1 thumping by Spain and with the renewed form of Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko leading the way, if they continue to play the same way, they will make inroads in the smallish Spanish defence, who have shown to be vulnerable at times in this tournament.
Like yesterday's semin final, this should be an open affair with plenty of goals.

 

[evalagoal]

Spain - Russia over 2.5 and over 3.5

Spain are loaded with attacking talent and probably have the best stiking duo in Torres and Villa. They also are supported by some pretty good midfielders like Fabregas who should provide some good opportunities for these guys against a Russian defence that is missing their main defender in Kolodin who is out suspended.
Russia are improved quite a bit from their 4-1 thumping by Spain and with the renewed form of Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko leading the way, if they continue to play the same way, they will make inroads in the smallish Spanish defence, who have shown to be vulnerable at times in this tournament.
Like yesterday's semin final, this should be an open affair with plenty of goals.

The over is what the majority of the people are going to be jumpin' on for this game.. I like it as well.