Euro 2008 - Who To Look Out For

[Kop66]

Deco and Sneidjer have both been good, though nothing to special imo, they are gone without even making the semi finals so they cant really be in the running.

Good luck Cinny, i hope i havent kiss of deathed the player for you, he's surely going to be playing in the final and is best priced @ 3/1 now.

Podolski @ 12/1 and maybe even Schweinsteiger @ 33/1 could run him close if Germany win it.

Others with an obvious chance are Villa and Arshavin @ 9/2 but i've just wasted a couple of quid on Puyol @ 80/1 Blue Sq. Slim chance, but a leader at the back and If Spain win it, who knows. Shouldn't be those odds anyway.

[Cinny]

Originally Posted by GaNgStA kEeKs

Surprised by Ballack being that short.

Bar the last 2 games he has come into a game with Portugal being his best. Bar that he has been very poor IMO. He has even come out saying his form has been poor so far and better is to come.

Standout player for me so far has been either Deco or Sneijder for me. Deco has been absolutely superb this competition and shot down the fears he was past it. His creativity and intelligence has been a joy to watch for the Portuguese, same could be said for Sneijder.

There is more factors than just being the best player inthe tournament that gets you the award. Your team has to, the majority of the time reach the final and with Germany warm favourite to do so Ballack has to be to the fore of the betting.

[ONEDUNME]

Ballack played really well in the last game but apart from that (and his free kick in the previous game), he's been less than impressive.He hasn't even been the best player in the German squad, never mind the best in the competition.

As already said, a lot will depend on which team gets to the final but Arshavin has done more in two games than Ballack has done in four. I don't know how rare it is for keepers to get awards like this but Cassillas has also been pretty damned good. Despite Villa's shameful dive to try to win a penalty last night, a couple of good performances from him and a Spanish win in the competition and he's nailed on in my book.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by ONEDUNME

Ballack played really well in the last game but apart from that (and his free kick in the previous game), he's been less than impressive.He hasn't even been the best player in the German squad, never mind the best in the competition.

As already said, a lot will depend on which team gets to the final but Arshavin has done more in two games than Ballack has done in four. I don't know how rare it is for keepers to get awards like this but Cassillas has also been pretty damned good. Despite Villa's shameful dive to try to win a penalty last night, a couple of good performances from him and a Spanish win in the competition and he's nailed on in my book.

Dive from Villa?

Do you mean in the first half after about 10 mins? That was a nailed on penalty....Player took his standing leg!

[ONEDUNME]

Bollocks

[ONEDUNME]

Actually, cancel that bollocks. It was the second half that he dived.

[rcgills]

Definitely wasn't a penalty, but I'd be prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he lost his balance rather than that he dived.

[Cinny]

Originally Posted by ONEDUNME

Ballack played really well in the last game but apart from that (and his free kick in the previous game), he's been less than impressive.He hasn't even been the best player in the German squad, never mind the best in the competition.

Bar possibly Lahm who has played better than Ballack to date? He drove the Germans on against Portugal and dominated the midfield, he was pivitol in that victry. Also when Germany needed someone to step up he did so against Austria. Far enough he was poor against Croatia but bar Ballack, Arshavin, Villa, Casillas no one else should be in with a chance. If Ballack has a good game tomorrow night he'll be a hot favourite as on thursday night some of his rivals will be put out of the running to win the award as it goes to a player who competes in the final.

2004 - Zagorakis
2000 - Zidane
1996 - Klinsmann

All of the above also won the competition for their country. I understand that some may not totally agree Ballack has been the best player but the best player may not neccassarily win this award. Firstly it would seem to win you have to be in the final.

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Definitely wasn't a penalty, but I'd be prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he lost his balance rather than that he dived.

He pulled his leg away in a definite movement in an effort to con the ref in my opinion.

Bar possibly Lahm who has played better than Ballack to date?

Lahm has played better than Ballack and I'd probably put Podolski's contribution above him too.

[Kop66]

I'm just chasing my money back now, this is the 6th player i've backed

Cesc Fabregas 3.00 @ 10/1 Blue Square

Actually, i'm going in for some more of that

[Kop66]

Ooh such a big hit straight into 8/1.

10/1 @ Will Hills still, if you like

[Kop66]

Some big price differences on this market still, shortest and longest..

Ballack 7/4 and 5/2
Villa 4/1 and 10/1
Casillas 9/2 and 8/1
Fabregas 9/2 and 10/1
Podolski 7/1 and 11/1

Puyol is still giving me a glimmer of hope too, best priced at 28/1 now, I’m on @ 80/1. Nah no fcuking chance. Cesc is the man, my biggest bet of the tournie so far has just gone on him. Get on ! 10/1 quick

[Cinny]

Seen the prices myself. In my opinion whoever gets it wont really deserve it. I've Ballack @ 9/2 and im thinking of getting on Casillas and possible Fabregas as cover. How can Fabregas win this as he has started 1 game? If your not good enough to start for your own country you shouldnt be named player of the tournament. I like the look of Casillas but dont think they'll give it to a keeper, then again he had very little to do in the semi final.Ballack was stinkin against Turkey as well as Podolski i thought. Villa basically got 3 goals in one game, was substituted injured against Russia wont play in the final and wasnt great against Italy. I really dont know whose going to get this!

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by Kop66

Cesc is the man, my biggest bet of the tournie so far has just gone on him. Get on ! 10/1 quick

Thing is though Kop, well as Cesc has played when he's been on the pitch, I think UEFA would find it tricky to give the player of the tournament award to a player who's started on the bench in 4 of Spain's 5 games so far.

[Kop66]

Thing is though Kop, well as Cesc has played when he's been on the pitch, I think UEFA would find it tricky to give the player of the tournament award to a player who's started on the bench in 4 of Spain's 5 games so far.

I think they can give it him rc, he changed the way those games had been going and injected more life into them, i think he's in for a big final too. What has anybody else done? Arshavin was 9/2 before the last game he's 33/1 now, 10/1 is just to big, he's got to worth a cover bet of anybodies money at those odds.