14th June: Sweden v Spain

[kompressaur]

17:00 Sweden (6.6) Draw (3.65) Spain (1.7)

[rcgills]

Euro 2008 Betting from Paddy Power.
Paddy Power have apparently offered a Hummer free to any Spanish player who scores against Sweden and celebrates by dancing the Chiki Chiki (the dance to Spain's Eurovision song)

4.0 they do it, 1.2 they don't.

[slick]

Big price for Sweden and they are the typical sort of side the Spanish seem to slip up against , something looks different about this Spanish side though as for once they all seem to be pulling togetther, could be because a few of their players are now plying there trade abroad and getting out of that typical Spanish mentality, where are one time they couldent give two fcuks for International matches.

Anyhow Spain it is for me, seeing as there young and vibrant unlike the Swedes who are beginning to look a bit old in the tooth now.

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by slick

could be because a few of their players are now plying there trade abroad and getting out of that typical Spanish mentality, where are one time they couldent give two fcuks for International matches.

Part of the problem there is the fact that certain parts of Spain (Catalonia and the Basque Country in particular) have a very strong sense of regional identity. I'm pretty sure quite a few players (Puyol comes to mind, although I stand to be corrected) have said they'd prefer to play for Catalonia rather than Spain. It's touched on here Supporting Spain at Euro - Expatica, I dare say there are much better places to read up on it but I've not got time to look them up.

To draw a very, very rough equivalent, it'd be like England, Scotland and Wales having to play as Great Britain - the players selected would still turn out for the GB side, but would they feel as strongly patriotic representing GB as they would representing England/Scotland/Wales?

Anyway, on the subject of the game itself, worth bearing in mind these two were in the same qualifying group for this tournament, with Sweden winning 2-0 in Sweden and Spain winning 3-0 in Spain.

[slick]

True RC, I never thought of that, well whatever the reason they look a pretty solid outfit at the moment and look happy as a team which isnt usually like them.

[trickrick]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Part of the problem there is the fact that certain parts of Spain (Catalonia and the Basque Country in particular) have a very strong sense of regional identity. I'm pretty sure quite a few players (Puyol comes to mind, although I stand to be corrected) have said they'd prefer to play for Catalonia rather than Spain. I

I was on a stag do in Barcelona during the Euro Championships's 8 years ago..Absolutely no Spanish in the bars cheering the national team and when I asked one local (who worked in the local Macdonalds) about the Euros he said Barcelona was his national side not Spain and that said it all really..

Anyhoo...I think tomorrow will see another typical Spanish performance in a major championship..I'm deffo on the +0.75 Asian on Sweden !! A good solid organised team who seem to do well in these Championships..

[kompressaur]

Sweden v Spain - Innsbruck

Spain impressed everyone in their opening 4-1 win over Russia but plenty of punters will be expecting them to fall flat on their faces against the well-drilled Swedes.

However, when Spain opened up the last World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, they followed that up with a 3-1 triumph over Tunisia and ended up winning all three group games.

Okay, Sweden will probably be a tougher nut to crack than Tunisia but Spain have such momentum that it should pay to follow Luis Aragones' men again.

The 7/10 is on the short side though so we'll look to the goalscorer markets.

David Villa stole the headlines against Russia but this time it could be the turn of strike partner Fernando Torres.

The two have an excellent understanding and get on famously judging by Villa sprinting to the bench to share his glory with the then substituted Torres.

There could even be an element of Villa trying to return the favour after Torres created the Valencia man's opening two goals although Liverpool fans will know that Torres is expert at creating his own.

Torres scored three goals in his first two matches at World Cup 2006 and is worth backing at 7/5 to open his account here.

Verdict: Sweden 1 Spain 2

GREEKS A GIFT AT 13/5: Bettingzone Football Betting News - Euro 2008 Betting, Premier League Betting, Champions League, Previews, Odds & Data.

[johnnybgood]

Odds on Spain are pure shit, but they are way the best side in this group. Sweden beat Greece, but imo that was worse football shown on EC yet. Sweds are jsut shade of that organisation what they once were. Also they traditionaly had referrees on they side. On this EC the refferees are whistling fair and square (thanks God, after so many years pushing it to hard).
Imo it is only question how bad will sweds be beaten.
I am on Spain /Asian handicap(-1) /

[Quandram]

Spain AH-1 for me as well. Also a little on the 3+ and 4+ goals

[traeth]

Originally Posted by Quandram

Spain AH-1 for me as well. Also a little on the 3+ and 4+ goals

i'm on the same bet as you quandram , as i believe there i difference in class in the players here , sweden's better players are the older ones