Spain and Germany lead the way for Euro 2012 glory

With the European Championship fast approaching, Phil Kitromilides takes a look at where the smart money lies for this summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine

 

Bongarts

Being crowned as champions of Europe has always been the most challenging of tasks, not least because
of the sheer number of quality teams that are involved.

While the World Cup generally sees the odd minnow advance, thus providing some respite for sides who face them, Euro 2012 is like previous European Championships in so much as there is not really a particularly weak team in the draw.

Leading the betting are defending champions Spain, priced as the 9/4 (3.25) favourites by William Hill.

Yet La Roja have a few injury problems heading into the tournament. They are without talismanic centre back Carles Puyol while main striker David Villa looking unlikely to feature having missed the majority of the season.

Though Spain posses other options in both positions, the loss of these two key players will have a major impact on the side and as such make them a less attractive option.

As always, coming into a major tournament Germany are well fancied and priced at 3/1 (4.00) to lift the trophy.

The exciting young outfit which brushed England aside in South Africa 2010 have matured into a well-balanced and attractive team, with the creativity of Mesut Ozil and the dynamic finishing of Mario Gomez thrilling and intimidating in equal measure.

Beaten World Cup finalists Netherlands come next in the betting priced at 7/1 (8.00) while England are optimistically available at 9/1 (10.00), a price that will surely appeal only to the most patriotic of punters.

Much more tempting is the 11/1 (12.00) offered for an intriguing France side to succeed, with Laurent Blanc's squad full of extremely talented players who earned an impressive 2-1 friendly win in Germany back in February.