Euro Soccer Finalists Both Underdogs To Potential Draw
Perhaps in a keen demonstration of why soccer has had such a tough time making inroads into the United States marketplace, The odds in the final for the Euro Cup 2008 reveal both teams to be underdogs.
In what may be viewed as a sly and critical comment on the "beautiful game", Spain returns 135 on a 100 play; Germany, considered the weaker of the two teams, is +200. The true favorite, a play at -235, is the occurrence of a draw (all plays before post-regulation penalty kicks).
Online casinos will be buzzing with action as preparation for the final match concludes; online gambling in Europe is heavily dominated by soccer play, and bookies will work feverishly while much of Europe relaxes in front of televisions.
Germany certainly carries an experience edge, having a long-standing national tradition of playing in international finals; but Spain has played inspired soccer, and seems to have elevated its team cohesion to the highest level in the tournament.
Both teams switched from a standard 4-4-2 formation to a more defensive 4-5-1 during the matches leading up to the finals, and both are thought likely to stick with the single attacker ahead of the ball, a prospect which leads to a potential 0-0 result, with penalty kicks determining the victor.
Midfield passing and relentless pressure may be the keys to this contest. The pick by OCA's sport prognosticator, Edmund Crumley, is Spain 1, Germany 0, as the German's 38-year-old goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, lets one slide by him in the second half.
