Sure Thing
Spain to get to the semi-finals of the competition
The Spanish are world champions, current holders of the Euros and worthy favourites to make it a hat-trick of major tournament wins. Despite drawing their first game against Italy in a pulsating encounter at the weekend, the rest of their group consists of a Croatia side who are decent but not title contenders, and the Republic of Ireland who have Paul O’Shane in their defence and rely on Robbie Keane for all their goals. Enough said. From defence to attack, they have a squad packed full of world class players, such as Casillas, Pique, Iniesta, Xavi and Torres. The team have the ability to open up any defence, and look classy enough for the majority, if not all of their rivals. If they get out of their group, they will more-than-like play England or France, both of whom do not look a match for this outstanding Spanish side.
Tipster’s Odds 1/3
Long Shot
Russia to win the competition outright
Russian football has been steadily on the rise in the past few years, starting with Zenit St Petersburg’s triumph in the 2008 UEFA Cup and their good run in Euro 2008, reaching the semi-finals. Since then, money has been pumped into the domestic league while the stock of the national team has also risen with the 4-1 thumping of the Czech Republic an ominous sign of things to come. They have terrific prospects such as Alan Dzagoev, Andrei Arshavin who always impresses on the international stage, and are led by veteran stalwart Dick Advocaat. If they win their relatively easy group comprising of Greece, Poland and the Czechs, they will face the runner up of Group B, which could be any of the Netherlands, Denmark or Portugal and despite the aforementioned clubs’ standing, Russia look a match for anyone and could just go all the way.
Tipster’s Odds 11/1
Absolute Madness
Stewart Downing to score in the final
This is a double ‘madness’ from the Tipster, as England actually have to reach the final of the competition first, an unlikely occurrence despite our blind optimism before every major football tournament. Despite the gritty nature of the two friendly victories, the exploits of the teams mentioned above, and the presence of Germany, France et al, mean the Three Lions reaching the showpiece in Kiev are slim. However, for the purposes of this column, let us say they do. The much-maligned Stewart Downing, without a single Premier League goal or assist in the domestic season, starts every game, providing mazy wing wizardry and pin-point balls onto the head of Rooney and Carroll. In Kiev, against Spain, the score is 1-1 in the 89th minute. He lurks the edge of the box when the ball is half-cleared from a corner. Without even looking up, he scuffs it left-footed, trickling past Casillas into the top corner. He meets the Queen 48 hours later and is given a knighthood. Wake up now…
Tipster’s Odds 100/1