EURO 2008

Croatia – Croatia played their last game with reserves and still came out on top confirmed they had depth and quality players in their line up.

Ivan Klasnic eliminated Poland with the solitary goal in the last group game.

Turkey – It was drama all round as the Turks stage an amazing come back from the last group game against the Czechs with 2 goals down and 15 mins to go, they went on to score 3 goals to put the Czechs out of the tournament. Peter Cech and company were devastated. The Turkey goalkeeper, Volkan Demirel, was red carded for pushing an opposing player to the ground in stoppage time will sit out a two match ban. It was the spirit and the perseverence of the Turks that saw them through.

Nihat Kahveci scored two late goals to put the Turks through.

Verdict - The Turks had been lucky with the Czechs in the last outing but will have problem overcoming the more superior Croats. Score: Croatia 2-1 Turkey

Market odds: Croatia (-1/2, +1.0), Turkey (+0.9)

Poland – Poland rue their stoppage time penalty giveaway to Austria. It has to win the game with at least a 2 goal margin and depends on Austria to beat Germany to go through.

Poland Captain Jacek Bak

Croatia – Croatia are beginning to look like Champion material in the game against an erratic Germany. They will likely give the reserves a chance to run out and soak in the atmosphere. They need a point to top the group, else Germany may overtake them.

Slaven Bilic providing the side show during the match.

Verdict – Poland is in a better position then the other two strugglers in the group as it plays against pressureless Croatia. However, they will get no favours from the Croats looking to avoid a quarter final clash with Portugal.
Score: Poland 1-1 Croatia

Market odds: Poland (+0.85), Croatia (-1/4, -0.925)

Croatia – Pint size Croatia players had good outing in the opening game, playing with speed and conviction against co-host Austria. However, they don’t looked like a convincing champion in this tournament. 

Germany – The Germans were too good for Poland in the opening game. The Polish defense was split open on several occasions. Germany is arguably the most outstanding team in the tournament right now.

Podolski – Man of the Match

Prediction – Whichever teams win the match will be guaranteed going into the quarter final. Height and technical superiority should see the Germans through and they will show the world what their superiority once again. Score: 2-0.

Market odds: Croatia (+0.875) Germany (-3/4, -0.95)

Austria – Co-host of Euro 2008, Austria, had some respectable results in their last two friendlies, drawing 1-1 with Nigeria in 27 May 08 and winning Malta 5-1 in 30 May 08. However, they had only one win in 15 games going into the competition. Austria is not a big soccer nation and a large portion of the population couldn’t care less about Euro 2008. Should there be a possibility of a host not making it through to the knock out stage since Belgium in 1980, Austria could be the candidate.

Croatia – Although it has not secure any major titles in recent years, it is a team that seldom disappoints, be it in friendlies or big games. As it would be a very tough call to pick a clear cut winner in the Euro competition, it would be wise to pick one which is consistent in performance and Crotia is one of those. It should be noted that Croatia topped the qualifiers group with 9 wins, 2 draws and 1 lose, in a group that included Russia and England. However, Croatia had sorely missed their injured top scorer, Eduardo da Silva, as they had not scored in their last few friendlies.

Prediction – The Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, had commented that they will be the surprise package to win the tournament, like Greece did in 2004, and I believe him. The Croats to demolish the Austrians with a decisive scoreline of 3-1.

Market odds: Austria (-0.975) vs Croatia (-1/2 +0.9)