So far the European Championship football tournament has been unpredictable with some of the teams fancied to reach at least the semis crashing out at both the group and quarter-final stages.
The first semi-final, between pre-tournament favourites Germany and surprise package Turkey, takes place in Basel on Wednesday.
Unsurprisingly, the Germans are strongly fancied to progress to the final. They are 4/9* with several bookmakers including Ladbrokes and Coral. They were impressive in their 3-2 quarter-final win against the talented Portuguese after finishing runners-up to Croatia in their group. Manager Joachim Low will have a full strength squad to choose from as midfielder Torsten Frings is available again after suffering from a broken rib.
Turkey have had a rollercoaster of a ride to make the Euro semis. They looked down-and-out in their final group match decider against the Czechs; trailing 2-0 with just quarter of an hour left to play. Turkey fought their way back to win 3-2 with an injury time winner securing their place in the knockout stage.
There was more high-drama in their quarter-final match with Croatia. Turkey went a goal down in injury time but equalised in the dying seconds to force a penalty shootout. They then went on to beat the Croatians 3-1 in the shootout.
The Germans must make sure they defend well right up until the final whistle if they are to prevent Turkey doing the unthinkable again.
The Turks are, however, plagued by injuries and suspensions for the semi-final clash. But if you fancy them to emulate their arch-rivals Greece and reach the final they are priced at 130/17*.
The other semi-final between Spain and Russia will be contested in Vienna on Thursday night.
Spain have always seemed to disappoint at major tournaments but have a very good side this time round. They did well to top their group with maximum points to earn a quarter-final clash with Italy. Despite Spain’s group form, I expected the Italians to beat the Spanish - especially when the match went to penalties. Spain have a history of losing penalty shootouts in tournaments but defied the odds to win the shootout 4-2.
Spain defeated Russia 4-1 in their opening group game and (with a strong time (?), they are priced as 11/10* favourites with a host of bookmakers to make their first European Championship final since 1964.
Russia have also defied the odds to reach the penultimate stage of the competition. After being runners-up in Group D to Spain, they faced the daunting prospect of a quarter-final match against the skilful Dutch.
The Dutch played like European champions as they topped Group C with three impressive wins. However, they peaked too soon as the Russians ran out deserved 3-1 winners.
WBX has Russia at 56/19* to upset the Spaniards.
For the tournament as a whole, Germany are favourites at 19/12*, with Spain priced at 45/23* with Betfair.
Turkey are the underdogs at 29/2* to lift the trophy with Pinnacle Sports whereas odds of 7/2* are offered on Russia with several bookmakers.
Also perhaps worth having a bet on is the tournament’s top goalscorer. David Villa is so far the leading goalscorer with 4 – and he is favourite to keep his lead at 8/13* with Coral.
Lukas Podolski is his nearest rival according to bookmakers. The German striker is 9/2* with Boylesports to be the tournament’s top goalscorer.
*Odds are correct as of time of writing.
