I like the Torres shout. Trouble is, so will everyone else and I don't suppose we're going to get much of a price on him.
You've got to look for a team that you think are going to go all the way (ideally, one that is playing against one of the weaker teams in the first two games so that they can bang a few goals in. It's worth remembering that if they've all but qualified when the third game comes around, their main striker may end up being rested on the bench.
Ronaldo's price will be way, way too short for me to take a gamble on a midfield player (although I do rate Portugal's chances in the competition). I'm not sure if the national side use him in the same way as Fergie does at united. As we know, he's a great player and will create chances for his team mates. With that in mind, it's probably a good idea to pick out one of the Portugese strikers and put your dosh on him rather than Ronaldo.
Im on Romania this tournament and will be having a little on their foward line up of Mutu,Marica and Dica @ odds of 28 and 100/1 the last two mentioned.
The last three tournaments, i.e. the Championship in it's present 16 team format, have each had strikers as winners of the Golden Boot, though the winners and placed (top three) scorers have not necessarily played for teams that have reached the final.
2004 Portugal
Milan Baros - 5 goals with the Czechs reaching the semi-finals
Ruud Van Nistlerooy - 4 goals with Holland reaching the quarter-finals
Wayne Rooney - 4 goals with England reaching the quarter-finals
2000 Belgium/Holland
Patrick Kluivert - 5 goals with Holland reaching the semi-finals
Savo Milosevic - 5 goals with Yugoslavia reaching the quarter-finals
Nuno Gomes - 4 goals with Portugal reaching the semi-finals
1996 England
Alan Shearer - 5 goals with England reaching the semi-finals
Brian Laudrup - 3 goals / group
Davor Suker - 3 goals / quarters
Hristo Stoichkov - 3 goals / group
Jurgen Klinsmann - 3 goals / winners
I'd be looking for a player who tends to be a focal point of his teams attacking play.
I'd also tend to disregard the apparent weakness of the teams in a group as some players tend to thrive while playing against the stronger nations. For example, in 2004 Milan Baros only scored one of his five goals against minnows Latvia, his others coming against Holland (1), Germany (1) and Denmark (2). Likewise, Alan Shearer only scored one each against the "weaker" teams in the group at Euro '96, Switzerland and Scotland, while bagging a brace against Holland and one against the Germans in the semi-finals.
Regarding Cristiano Ronaldo ( :swoon: ) I feel he plays to a lot more rigid system when playing for Portugal than when playing for Manchester United. Big Phil tends to stick Ronaldo onto one of the wings and expects him to play as an out-and-out winger, while at United he has the freedom to roam which Fergie afford possibly the best player in the world. I'm afraid 8/1 is far too short for me, unless Phil has a sudden change of heart with regards to his positioning!
If you want to go for a Spanish striker then go for David Villa. As you say they have some great players behind them to create chances and Villa is by far the better finisher than Torres IMO.
Villa should also take pens and free kicks too and coming around the 18s mark there is far better value here.
I also like Ballack. He has a habit of scoring goals for Germany and has a very good record. Again, he takes the penalties which always help.
Couple of value odds on some of the big sides who should go pretty far too in the competition. Players like Henry, Van Nistelrooy for example are in the 20s and decent punts.
You've a good point on getting on Villa instead though if the qualifying stats are a guide...
Fernando Torres
Qualifying statistics
Appearances 7
Mins. Played 496
Goals scored 2
Total shots 13
Shots wide 9
Assists 0
David Villa
Qualifying statistics
Appearances 11 -
Mins. Played 896 -
Goals scored 7
Total shots 25
Shots wide 8
Assists 2
I'll still be having a few quid on the Liverpool lad though.
Nah he is one of the few players i like of your horrible team
Didn't think he would be as prolific as he has but he is one of the good guys in the game so i hope he does well.
My reasoning really is that i find Villa just as prolific and is at double the odds almost as Torres so is a pretty value bet, especially if he takes set pieces also.
Right, you've made my mind up Kiko. Well, a combination of you and the fact that Betfred are offering 20/1 (and four places for the each way 1/4 odds) on Villa. I'm on him with smaller stakes on (you can never discount the Germans) Mario Gomes also at 20/1.
Fernando Torres, 2.00 e.w @ 10/1 Betfred
David Villa, 2.00 e.w @ 20/1 Betfred
Dirk Kuyt, 2.00 e.w @ 100/1 Skybet
Ryan Babel, 4.00 e.w @ 100/1 Betfred
E.W ¼, 1,2,3,4,
20.00 staked
The Spanish pair speak for themselves and as you can see i'm following 3 from the Liverpool too but not just with the heart (honest). If Holland can qualify and i think they will (even with France and Italy to overcome) then Kuyt and Babel would of had a say in it and i really like Babel's profesionalism, attitude, pace and finishing this season, i think if Holland can click then he is going to have a big tournament.
Van Basten was quoted as saying he's the best under 20yr he'd ever seen before signing for the pool, i know he likes him and i'm certain he's going to use him and get the best from him. Others have also said that he has the potential to become the next Henry though that's a little unfair.
He's been brilliant for us, sometimes a little frustrating and a little inconsistant but more often than not, quality. His small faults that i have mentioned are down to the fact that whenever he has started for us he's known he's going to get subbed, Benitez really has used him sparingly and rightly so. He has also come off the bench on 3 or 4 times this season and within minutes of coming on has wrapped the game up.
A few Babel stats...
Liverpool 49 apps (20) as sub, 10 goals
Total (Club) 145 apps (51) as sub, 31 goals.
Holland 23 apps (15) as sub, 5 goals.
Having watched him closely this season i believe he's about to take it up another level or two, this is his time to shine. 100/1 to win it and 25/1 to finish top 4 is a real possibility, i've also taken 100/1 about him for player of the tournament.
Holland were the lowest scorers of any of the qualifying nations (having battered the likes of Luxembourg 1-0 home and away). Kuyt got 1 goal (92nd min vs Belarus). Babel got 0.
They were 7 goals shy of everyone except Russia. I don't see a compelling reason to back them to be prolific now facing up against Romania (0 goals in 180 mins in qualifying), Italy and France.
If the competition was won on the qualifying stats we'd all have the winner Quandram, yes there is a Liverpool bias but i wouldn't throw my money in for that reason alone. The stats make them look poor that you've shown but they did qualify with a game to spare and never looked in trouble at anytime.
Van Basten is an Oranje legend and he finishes as manager after this tournament, i'm sure they are all going to raise their game now they are there.
Babel and Kuyt both scored in their 3-0 friendly win over the Ukraine at the weekend too.
And from the camp...
Quote:
Fresh from helping Manchester United FC win the UEFA Champions League, Edwin van der Sar was in "good spirits" as he met up with his Netherlands team-mates.
Late arrivals
Van der Sar and Real Madrid CF midfielder Wesley Sneijder were the last two players to join up with Marco van Basten's side as they prepare for UEFA EURO 2008™. The goalkeeper is still glowing from the penalty shoot-out save from Chelsea FC's Nicolas Anelka, calling it a "[Hans] van Breukelen" moment, in honour of the famous former PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands goalkeeper, who 20 years before won his club the European Champion Clubs' Cup in similar spot-kick stopping style against SL Benfica.
Positive outlook
Van Breukelen was a UEFA European Championship winner later that summer, and the 37-year-old Van der Sar would love to also emulate that achievement. He feels that the mood in the Dutch camp is positive, saying: "I'm here in good spirits, and it's not just me – a lot of the boys have performed well in their leagues and won things, so now we just have to push very hard in the right direction together to create a successful team."
'Not happy'
Coach Van Basten said last week that the Dutch public were right to have high expectations for the Oranje at UEFA EURO 2008™, and Van der Sar certainly feels that none of their Group C opponents – Italy, France and Romania – will be looking forward to playing them in Bern. "Several boys play in other leagues and have developed further," Van der Sar stated. "That gives us hope and also makes opponents start to think. They are not happy to be in the same group as The Netherlands."
I think Italy not progressing will be the shock of the first round.
Right, you've made my mind up Kiko. Well, a combination of you and the fact that Betfred are offering 20/1 (and four places for the each way 1/4 odds) on Villa. I'm on him with smaller stakes on (you can never discount the Germans) Mario Gomes also at 20/1.
I didn't think to look into the 4 places each way. Wow i could have some fun here
Villa is a great shout IMO. 18 goals in 30 games for Spain compared with that of 15 goals in 46 Torres has for Spain.
He got 18 goals this season for Valencia which is a very good tally. Valencia finished 10th in the end but up until 3 or 4 games left they were around the relegation zone with a major threat of going down but a few wins pushed them right up. So to get 18 goals in a very underachieving season is a great feat. Second top goalscorer for Valencia this season was Morientes with 6 goals.
And lets not forget my favourite goal of the season....
The technique he has is one of the best in the game for me.
20/1 is a value bet anyways.
Someone mentioned Mario Gomes....If he plays he will be a good each way bet also as Germany are a team you can count on for goals.
Any Germans around to say his probability of starting?
Had a great season and 6 goals in 9 games for Germany although his goals havent come against strong opposition with 2 goals for example against San Marino.
I would imagine Klose is a guaranteed starter and Pudolski was top German scorer in qualifying so unsure? Podolski incidently is available at 25s.
So some value each way bets then....
Zlatan Ibrahimovic @ 50s.
That is amazing value. Swedens main man who has had an amazing season for Inter Milan. Has a ratio of a goal every 2 games for Sweden and is their penalty taker.
Sweden a side that are never world beaters but a team you don't want to get as they are always a solid stuffy side.
Henrik Larsson back in the side too and he is a great player to play off who will assist in a few of the Swedes goals. Can see them progressing in this tournament rather well.
Ibrahimovic one of these greedy players who takes everything and tries the most ridiculous attempts at goal. Priced at 50s is an insult to him.
Nihat @ 85s.
Villaraels top goalscorer this season with 18 goals and a player i have liked a lot. Been linked with some bigger clubs and has a good scoring record at International level.
With a bit of luck i can see Turkey be maybe the surprise side of the competition and if they are it will be down to this man here.
Euro 08 Top Goalscorer
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