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Observations and thoughts of a pre-professional football bettor with occassional comments by J Armstrong. Updated at least once weekly.

by Daniel Andersson

Date: 13 June 2008

Teams to Watch Out For in Euro 2008

Hi J

The first week of the Euro's is over and after seeing all teams there is a few teams that stand out. The most impressive teams are Germany and Spain. Then there is a couple just under them in Portugal and Holland. But there is one team that despite a very poor opening game will be very dangerous if their coach just plays the correct players and manage to inspire his players, which shouldn't be hard considering the humiliating defeat in the first round. I am off course talking about Italy. I have no idea what Donadoni was thinking when starting with the team he did and leaving Del Piero, Cassano and De Rossi on the bench. These players should be in form considering the end of their domestic season and a few of them showed hunger when coming on at the end of the second half. Obviously it is easy to say things like that now and to be fair it was basically this team that played Italy to the Euro's and the end result didn't really represent the game in my opinion with two of the goals coming after big chances for Italy and Italy improved massively when Donadoni finaly made his substitutions. But after their performances in serie A and what some of them showed in the recent game they should start in their next game putting Ambrosini, Camaronesi and Gattoso on the bench or instead of Gattoso Di Natale depending on the tactical disposition of the team. Another player that should get an oportunity is Chiellini even though he ruled out their best defender when he injured Cannavaro. If they manage to go through to the quarter finals begining with a win against Romania they will be a team to count on.

Sweden showed to be up for the challange against the defending champions but to be fair they were handed the win by Greece who didn't seem to want to play the game to win. Such a defensive tactic may be a good choice against a top team like Spain but not against Sweden and if they chose to play like that they must have a deadlier counter attack. They sold themseves short by just counting on set pieces. I had got the impression that they had developed in the four years past but it was the same game plan only without the luck and will power and a unagressive defence. With this start of the group Spain may be wise choice against Sweden on Saturday. This because Sweden may chose to rest some of their players considering some small injuries and Ibrahimovich knee. They will also be without Willhelmsson and Alexandersson which results in a new right flank with Stoor at the right back and Sebastian Larsson on the right wing. There is not really a loss of quality but it may result in som loss of tactical knowledge in the back line. The resting of key players may happen because it will be very hard to gain points against Spain and despite a loss against them they will have their fate in their own hands against Russia and willwant to have a fresh team for that game.

My bets so far has been good. I have made eight bets and had six winners.

Portugal -0.75 - Turkey	Winner
Schweiz - Check  Under 2	Winner
Austria - Croatia -0.5	Winner
Holland - Italy -0.25	Loss
Romania +0.5 - France	Winner
Greece 0 - Sweden	Loss
Spain -0.75 - Russia	Winner
Check - Portugal -0.5	Winner

That's it for now.

Daniel

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