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Sports Betting Previews: Handicap Betting on Euro2008 Semi Finals

June 24th, 2008

Euro 2008 betting was turned on its head after some surprising quarter-final results. Bettors now have a few days to recover from the excitement, before the Euro 2008 semi-finals take place on Wednesday and Thursday. The tournament favourites – Holland – tumbled out in the last eight, in one of several shock results, including the amazing scenes at the end of the Croatia v Turkey game, with two goals in the final minute of extra time.

Semi-Final One – Germany v Turkey, June 25th

Turkey pulled off another Euro 2008 great escape, scoring with the final kick of extra-time against Croatia in the quarter-finals, to take the game to penalties, where they came out on top. The Turks’ joy was tinged with some misgivings as they approach a Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany without four key suspended players. Goalkeeper, Volkan Demirel, Emre Asik, Arda Turan, and Tuncay Sanli – the backbone of the Turkey side – will all watch from stands at St.Jakob-Park in Basel. Turkey are the outsiders of the four Euro 2008 semi-finalists priced 15.500* at PinnacleSports.com in a yes/no market priced to less than 102%.

In stark contrast, Germany cruised passed Portugal into the last four, oozing confidence, and carry only one injury into the semi-finals. Midfielder, Torsten Frings, is a doubt with a rib injury, otherwise Joachim Low has a full squad to choose from looking to repeat the success of national side at Euro 96. Germany are now favourites in the outright Euro 2008 betting at PinnacleSports.com priced 2.500*, strongly fancied to overcome the weakened Turkish on Wednesday night. The quarter-finals did however, make a mockery of the formbook, so bettors should think twice before piling on Germans. PinnacleSports.com price Germany 1.746 (-1)* with Turkey 2.240 (+1)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

Semi-Final Two – Russia v Spain, June 26th

The Russian soccer renaissance gathered pace as Guus Hiddink attack-minded philosophy helped them to a 3-1 extra win over Holland, who were the favourites in the Euro 2008 betting at PinnacleSports.com. Having been huge outsiders at the start of the tournament, Russia are now as short as 4.620* for overall glory, and 1.249* to fail – market priced to less than 102%. This has already been a phenomenal sporting year for Russia, after Zenit St.Petersburg lifted the UEFA Cup, CSKA Moscow became Super League Champions and the Russian national team won the Ice Hockey World Championships.

Spain stand in Russia’s way, as two of the under-achievers meet on Thursday night for what promises to be a engaging Euro 2008 semi-final. Spain were frustrated by an intensely defensive Italian side in the quarter-finals, but came through a tense penalty shoot-out, to reach the Euro 2008 semi-finals that their performances so far certainly merit. The attack pairing of David Villa and Fernando Torres remain a potent threat, while Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up against Russia, having impressed as a substitute, and scoring the winning penalty against Italy. PinnacleSports.com price Spain 2.750* overall second-favourites in their Euro 2008 outright betting market, and 2.120 (-0.5)* on their Euro 2008 Asian Handicap for Thursday night, with Russia 1.820 (+0.5)* – a market priced to less than 102%. 

*All odds subject to change so check out the latest bookie prices Live here at BookieLabRat.com

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Entry Filed under: European Football,Sports Betting