Under-21 betting

Belarus U21 - Iceland U21

This is the first game of European championship for players under 21 age. Belarus had decent results in qualifying group (but wouldn't have come here without it, anyway), but real shock they presented in a play-off game against Italy. First defeat 0-2 away, then sensational 3-0 home win. 

Iceland is tipped to be the biggest surprise on the tournament. They have nine players from A team, including excellent Gylfi Sigurdsson (ex Reading, today Hoffenheim). They made some very impressive results lately, defeating Germany in group 4-1 at home and in last match (friendly) a win over England 2-1 (away).

In the first game, a draw is always possible whichever teams play. So, I’m taking -0.25 (in case of a draw, half stake is back). C’mon Iceland! 

Bet: Iceland -0.25
Odd: 1.98 188bet
Stake: 7/10
pi
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England - Switzerland

England’s problem is this game comes after a long and hard season for the players. Capello will have to find a way to motivate them. Also, there won’t be Rooney (Defoe, Carroll and Gerrard). On the other hand, England is topping the table just by goal difference. Win today should be out of question.

Swiss are 6 points behind, they desperately need a win to join a battle for top two places but I’m sure they’ll be absolutely satisfied with a point today. However, they have scoring problems on their trips and alongside with hard defending that Ottmar Hitzfeld is forcing, their last 6 games produced zero or one goal. Attacking duo, Frei (ex skipper) - Streller, was under the media fire after last game (0-0 Bulgaria) and both retired! I think Swiss target will be 0-0 scoreline.

My first idea was England -1, I’m pretty sure they’ll win. But with 2 goals margin? This should be a better call. Hosts will dominate in possession and most of the time ball will be on Swiss half, around penalty area. I’m going on corners market and 1st half since the English pressure on goal should be bigger.

Bet: number of corners 1st half, England -2 (ah)
Odd: 2.04 188bet
Stake: 7/10
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Manchester United - Valencia

United haven’t impressed in CL games at Old Trafford, this season. One draw 0-0 (vs. Rangers) and one unconvincing win over Turkish side Bursa. They need only a point here for the first spot in the group (which should be important). But, the fact that makes this bet attractive is Utd’s schedule. They didn’t play for the weekend at Blackpool and next game (hard one tough, vs. Arsenal) is at next Monday (range is 16 days). My opinion is Ferguson will name very strong squad for the game (he already made such announcement) to keep the players in shape and to keep winning mentality. Last thing he needs is deja vu of Besiktas in previous season.

I find it hardly to believe Valencia carry any serious hope tonight. With a win they would be first, yes. But it’s easier to believe, they’ve already given up from it. Bunch of players are out of squad. Moya, Navarro, Joaquin, Vicente, Stankevicius, Topal, Manuel Fernandes  and Bruno all stayed at Spain. Boss Emery brought to England goalie Cesar and defender Mathieu, but it does remain to see will they start the game.

I don’t think Utd will gamble with this one and have no problem to accept offered price. Rooney should strive to regain some of the lost confidence (and probably lost nerves with Bervatov’s five hits and all the talks about it) and I expect him on a score sheet. As yesterday, home win is pure logic for me.

Bet: Man Utd -1ah
Odd: 1.98 Canbet
Stake: 8/10

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Leicester and Everton - epilogue

Only losers complain about the bad luck and blame “outside factors” for their own failures. The thing is I cannot see who and with what tricks someone could make a profit last night in English games. Which is a very good sign my judging became terrible wrong. I’m facing so big crisis first time in my life and currently I’m only wasting my and money of the others. Only way out which I see is (to force myself) to make a break from betting. One weekend at least. It will be the first one in last 10 (or so) years I won’t make a single bet.

Thanks for visiting, sorry for the bad picks, I’ll be back soon.

With a hope in (and remembers on) better days,

Dule

Saturday's results and statistic update

Trend of weird results in England continues. I'm glad I didn't touch Charlton or Arsenal at very good odds. It's a pity Brum didn't convert some of the chances, but considering all shocks yesterday I accept minimal loss as a good day.

Leeds - Sheffield United  1-0  WON

Birmingham - Wigan  0-0  LOSS

Statistic:

September
Profit: -4.98 units Yield: -5.72%

Season
Profit: +20.38 units Yield: +10.11%

See all bets

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New season - some changes

New season is on the corner, Championship and lower English leagues start next weekend, Premiership one week later.

 

There will be some changes on my blog that should bring more quality.

1) My bets will be more specific, 1-10 staking plan and updated record (full analyzes as always). Detailed statistics will be noticed in the online document. I’ll be able to share it with all interested. (Thanks for the help, Ben.)

2) Make e-mail subscription. You’ll get the picks in the mailbox without any effort, I’ll have a picture about the number of permanent readers. Also, I’ll try to make some benefits for the subscribers (vouchers, free bets and such things), but it’s too early for promises about that.

3) Daily gossip column will be removed. I haven’t seen too much interest in it. Blog traffic is the same with it, or without it. Same applies for detailed game reports. Also, removing these two category will allow you to get only picks (and analyzes) in your mailbox.

4) I’ve been trying to make a deal about sponsorship. Benefit would be more quality contents, bonuses, live odds, maybe some free vouchers… But, all depends from the blog traffic. Even without that, it wouldn’t be a tragedy.

5) I’m not sure have I mentioned this. As a way of advertising at Football Betting (and More) you can send me your posts by mail to publish it here. If you’re new, or simply need a bigger traffic. Some quality level would be required, however.

 

What you guys think?

I would appreciate any ideas, suggestions, opinions…

 

Thanks for visiting and wish you a good betting season.

Dule

WC 2010 SUMMARY - LIST OF THE ALL BETS

We're approaching the end of WC. Competition has been marked with referees' mistakes that sent some selections home, new irregular ball by Adidas and that terrible noise. Quality is, in my opinion, just average. Some profit from the bets. 

Two more games. I won't touch game from the bronze (Germany at 1.65 simply doesn't worth of it), but will post analyze for the final.

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Hope I helped you to earn some cash and would like to use this opportunity to say thanks to all who sent me e-mails with the appreciations. Cheers lads!

We all have the same target, to rob the bookies and this blog will stay free as long as there's an interest for it. 

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I'm taking a break and will be back when the seasons start. Maybe only few bets before it.

Good luck,

Dule

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However, here's the list of my all bets (with links to original posts). 

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BETS:

England - USA, England to win (1.53) and Argentina-Nigeria,over 2.5 ( 1.82). Double @ 2.83 

Serbia - Ghana, Serbia to win @ 2.10 

Germany - Australia, Germany -1ah @ 2.10 

Holland - Denmark, Holland -1ah @ 2.03 

Japan - Cameroon, Cameroon to win @ 2.23  

Portugal - I.Coast, Portugal to win @ 2.30  

Brazil - DPR Korea, Korea +1ah 1st half @ 1.925  

Hond.-Chile, Chi. to win and Spain-Switz.,Spain to win to nil.Double @ 3.16  

Argentina - S.Korea, Argentina -1ah @ 2.03  

Greece - Nigeria, Nigeria to win @ 2.22  

France - Mexico, France to win @ 2.29 

Germany - Serbia, over 2.5 @ 2.10  

England - Algeria, England -2ah @ 2.70  

Holland - Japan, Holland -1ah @ 1.95  

Ghana - Australia, Ghana -0.5ah @ 2.28  

Cameroon - Denmark, Denmark 0.0ah @ 1.92 

Slovakia - Paraguay, Paraguay to win @ 2.15 

Brazil - I.Coast, Brazil -0.75ah @ 2.08 

Portugal - Korea DPR, Portugal -1ah @ 1.72 

Chile - Switzerland, corner handicap Chile -1ah @ 1.85 

Spain - Honduras, Spain -2ah @ 2.02 

Mexico - Uruguay, Uruguay to win @ 5.00 

S.Africa - France, S.Africa +0.25ah @ 2.08  

Nigeria - S.Korea, S.Korea -0.25 @ 2.10 1/2 LOST

Slovenia - England, total cards over 5ah @ 2.00 

USA - Algeria, USA -0.75ah @ 2.17 1/2 WON

Ghana - Germany, Germany -1.5ah @ 2.45  

Chile - Spain, Spain -1ah @ 1.93  

Uruguay - S.Korea, Uruguay -0.75ah @ 2.19  1/2 WON

Germany - England, England -0.25ah @ 2.14  

Argentina - Mexico, Argentina -1ah @ 2.25  

Brazil - Chile, Brazil -1ah @ 2.08  

Spain - Portugal, Spain to win @ 2.10 

Holland - Brazil, Brazil -0.5ah @ 2.05  

Uruguay - Ghana, Uruguay to win @ 2.10 

Argentina - Germany, Germany to qualify @ 2.25 

Paraguay - Spain, Spain -1ah @ 1.80  

Uruguay - Holland, Holland -1ah @ 2.49  

Number of bets: 38

Average odd: 2.24

Number of wins: 16

Number of draws: 5

Number of loses: 15.5

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GAMBLES:

Milijas to score first (Ghana) @ 13.00   

Name of the finalists: Germany-Brazil @ 17.00 

Group betting: 1st USA 2nd England, 1st Spain 2nd Switzerland, 1st Argentina 2nd S.Korea. Treble @ 28.00  

Brazil - Portugal, Brazil to win 1-0 @ 7.00  

Forlan to score first (S.Korea) @ 5.50  

Holland - Slovakia, Slovakia to score first @ 3.75  

Brazil - Chile, red card in the game-YES @ 3.00  

Paraguay - Japan, Barrios MOM @ 7.00  

Argentina - Germany, Germany -1ah @ 6.10 

Germany - Spain, Germany to win on penalties @ 10.00 

Holland - Spain, draw @ 3.20

Number of bets: 11

Average odd: 9.41

Number of wins: 2

Number of draws: 0

Number of loses: 9

2.

ANTEPOST:

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England 1st, USA 2nd @ 2.50  LOST

Serbia to win the group @ 4.00  LOST

Serbia to reach semi-final @ 9.00  LOST

Spain 1st, Chile 2nd @ 2.10  WON

Uruguay to qualify @ 2.10  WON

Uruguay and SA to qualify @ 15.00  LOST

Robinho top goalscorer 29.00  LOST

Luis Suarez top goalscorer @ 51.00  LOST

Kaka golden ball @ 15.00  LOST

Best team goalscorer:Milijas (15.00), Suarez (3.50), Rooney (2.37). Treble @ 124.68  LOST

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Number of bets:10

Average odd: 25.438

Number of wins: 2

Number of draws: 0

Number of loses: 8

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Saturday's World Cup round-up

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Brazil's quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands was not a surprise to him.
"I don't think it's a lesson knowing the reality of football," said the Spaniard following the favourites' World Cup exit. "We know that every match can be complicated. We start off on an equal footing and the nature of sport is that anything can happen."

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has admitted he was surprised by England's performances at the World Cup in South Africa.
"I expected England to do well, so I am surprised they had a very poor tournament," he said. "They seemed to freeze. If [Wayne] Rooney, [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard are not at their best, the team is bound to suffer. Defensively, England were poor." 

Germany coach Joachim Loew has admitted that he is in awe of Diego Maradona because he feels the Argentine coach won the World Cup on his own, back in 1986.
"He galvanised the whole football world with his skills," said Loew as his side prepare to face Argentina in Saturday's quarter-final match.
"He was simply magic. The culmination of his career was 1986. He virtually decided that World Cup on his own. He left a mark on football like no other player has ever done."

www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's World Cup round-up

Oliver Bierhoff says Germany will find it harder to beat Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final than they did to overcome England in the last 16.
Before the tournament began, England were rated more likely than Argentina to lift the coveted trophy.
But Germany general manager Bierhoff said: "It is not going to be easy on Saturday because Argentina are a stronger side than England.
"There were some obvious English weaknesses that had all been there in the group stages.
"Argentina are much more powerful and stronger. They have very few weaknesses - although there must be some."

Huh Jung-moo has resigned as coach of South Korea following their 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16 at the World Cup.
Under Huh Jung-moo the team advanced out of the group stage for the first time on foreign soil but the coach was eager to "recharge". 
"There are many great and capable ... leaders in our football community. I think they should be given a chance to coach the national team," said Huh Jung-moo. 
"What I felt during the World Cup tournament is that the global football powerhouses, especially the South American teams, performed well and were too much for us." 

Former Argentina coaches Marcelo Bielsa and Jose Pekerman head Japan's wish-list to take over from Takeshi Okada, according to the Japanese press.
Okada is set to retire to a life of writing poetry and farming after the Blue Samurai were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16.
"I want to get away from soccer," Okada told Japanese television following their penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
"Even if I was offered a new contract. It won't happen so let's not talk about it."

Meanwhile, Japan defender Yuichi Komano is set to get a medal, even though his missed penalty against Paraguay led to the country's World Cup exit in the last 16.
The governor of Komano's native Wakayama prefecture, Yoshinobu Nisaka, told Japanese media he wanted to give Komano a medal for his efforts in South Africa. 
"We would like to present Komano with a medal for giving people such dreams and emotions," said Nisaka. 

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was guarded about his future when he arrived home on Friday after steering his team to an unbeaten World Cup campaign.
Although New Zealand failed to progress beyond the first round of the tournament, the team surpassed expectations.
Herbert is reported to have received approaches from clubs in Europe, Asia and the Middle East but would only say there were "a few things" in the air.
He said he was immediately returning to his job as coach of New Zealand's only professional team, the Wellington Phoenix, and expected to have talks about his future career with Football New Zealand.

www.bbc.co.uk

Monday's World Cup round-up

Netherlands midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst feels his side can go on to win the World Cup.
"I do believe we will become world champions," said 35-year-old Van Bronckhorst ahead of his side's last-16 tie with Slovakia in Durban on Monday.
The Dutch topped Group E and were one of only two teams to qualify from the group stages with three wins.

Prince Harry says he watched England's 4-1 defeat by Germany through his fingers.
The 25-year-old royal - who viewed the game in New York, where he took part in a polo match - was understandably disappointed with the result. 
"The defeat was sore, I think the boys played their hearts out," said Harry, who saw England draw 0-0 with Algeria earlier in the tournament in South Africa.

www.bbc.co.uk

WC 2010 - 27.06.

Just picks.No explanations.Hangover and terrible headache.

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Germany - England, England -0.25ah @ 2.14 (Victor Chandler)  4-1 LOST

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Argentina - Mexico, Argentina -1ah @ 2.25 (Gamebookers)  3-1 WON

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Friday's World Cup round-up

England will wear their all-red kit when they take on Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup on Sunday.
As the designated away team, it was always likely England would be forced to wear their changed strip in Bloemfontein, as they did against Slovenia.
But Fabio Capello's side have again elected to wear red shorts, as opposed to the white ones they originally intended to adorn their away strip.

An England fan who berated the players after wandering into the team's dressing room after the 0-0 draw with Algeria will appear in court today.
Pavlos Joseph, 32, from Crystal Palace, south-east London, will appear at a special World Cup court in Cape Town where he is due to go on trial charged with trespassing. 
At a previous hearing, he was banned from attending future World Cup matches, his passport was withheld, and he was released on 500 rand bail. 
Joseph said he was looking for a toilet after the Algeria match when a security guard sent him in the direction of the players' tunnel. 

Japanese football fans celebrated wildly after their side stunned Denmark 3-1 to reach the second round of the World Cup - with police called to fish revellers out of rivers.
Newspaper headlines boasted of "history in the making" after the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for the second time, while television viewing figures nudged past 41 percent, despite the game finishing just before 0530 local time.

Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has tipped the African side to become a force in world football, even if they are eliminated from the World Cup on Friday.
To secure an unlikely place in the last 16, Ivory Coast would need to beat North Korea in their final Group G game and hope Brazil beat Portugal, while Eriksson's men also need to make up nine goals in the process. 
"The players are getting better and better and as a team we are getting better and better," said Eriksson. 
"Whatever happens, Ivory Coast has a great future as a football team. I am really impressed with all the players we have."

www.bbc.co.uk

WC 2010 - 22.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Many interesting bets for the outcome of World Cup. I chose two, for now.

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Name of the finalists:

Brazil - Germany @ 17.00 (bet365)

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Group betting:

1st USA, 2nd England @ 4.33

1st Spain, 2nd Switzerland @ 4.00

1st Argentina, 2nd S.Korea @ 1.61

A treble @ 28.00 (bet365)

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UPDATE I:

Greece - Argentina, NO BET

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I think we all can agree that "Argentina B" (which means Millito and Aguero alongside Messi,probably Di Maria and Maxi on the flanks) is still much stronger than Greek full and highly motivated squad.
The thing that fears me most is the idea Argies will play more for fun than for the result.Attractive and nice to watch,but not so responsible in defense tasks (especially mentioned five).
Other thing is Otto Rehhagel.German who won EURO with his hard-to-watch defensive football.Counter attacks and set pieces are the only way to score.So,in combination with my first reason I could imagine very complicate scenario here.
I don't say Argentina won't smash them,but simply don't like those odds.Will skip this one.

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UPDATE II:

Mexico - Uruguay, Uruguay to win @ 5.00 (Bet3000)  0-1 WIN

The point of a draw is both sides will pass the group.Ok,what Mexico thinks about it?Maybe they can win,they defeated France and are full of confidence.But,they should accept a draw and face Argentina instead Korea probably?!Nah,doesn't sound like Mexico.Even if they lose,probability to be eliminated is very low as France won't trash anybody today.
Other thing,if one side score (it's hardly to imagine a game without any chance,at least because the fear of UEFA president),they should just allow other to score?He-he Mexico and Uruguay?Hell,no.
We already have seen 2-2 draw once,but this sides?No,I don't think so.
Winner will have a red carpet to a quarter-final(and I hope Serbia he-he),loser gets top favorite.
I'm gonna take Uruguay.

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UPDATE III:

South Africa - France, South Africa +0.25ah @ 2.08 (188bet)  2-1 WIN

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This is a kind of speculative bet.
Home side will try to not the end competition without a win (in theory,they have even a chance to be 2nd).That,also should be a slap to FIFA board that gave them to host WC.Blatter has been talking rubbish for years and now his favorites will be last in the group.Funny,at least.
Happenings in the French camp are surely a shame for their nation.I don't feel bad about it,they didn't even deserve to be there.Starting 11 will be interesting.Evra allegedly has refused(!!!) to play.His example probably will follow some other players.
And last thing,referee is Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).

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UPDATE IV:

Nigeria - S.Korea, S.Korea -0.25ah @ 2.10 (188bet)  2-2 1/2 LOST

No big philosophy here. Korea is better squad, looks tactically better and organized. Nigeria didn’t show anything special, so far. Except, lack of discipline. Tonight, need a win (for Korea, a point should be fine). Attacking attitude will make them vulnerable to Korea's fast counters, through the wings. Park will score.

d

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Sunday's World Cup round-up

Graham Taylor is convinced goalkeeper David James' terse responses to questions about Fabio Capello's selection policy were a clear indication that all is not well in the England camp.
Former England boss Taylor said: "I know David very well because we signed him as a young player at Watford many years ago. He is very articulate and he was giving us a message there, make no mistake. That was a message that all is not right."
Although he has vowed not to resign and has stood by some controversial team selections, under-fire Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen is facing media criticism following the Indomitable Lions' early exit from the World Cup. 

After it was suggested to the Frenchman that his tactics were to blame for defeats against Japan and Denmark, Le Guen simply replied: "I will not resign but you have given your opinion and I respect that. Either you trust me or you don't, but that's the way things are."

A top public university in Bangladesh has closed indefinitely after students clashed over whether to cancel classes in order to watch the World Cup. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology reportedly asked students to leave dormitories to calm the situation, after at least five people were injured in violent disturbances.

One group had demanded an early summer vacation so they could watch football on television without any tension. They asked other students not to attend classes or take tests and locked the university's main gate, prompting clashes with senior students who wanted classes to continue.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a fear of failure and the absolute necessity to get through the group stage has contributed to the poor performances of top European sides at the World Cup.
Wenger said: "The biggest teams who have the highest level of expectation cannot express that talent yet. One reason is caution, fear of failure, response to huge demands. These teams will just get through, most of them, then you will see them really play." 

Australia forward Harry Kewell is adamant he did not deserve to be sent off for handling the ball on the line during his team's 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Kewell told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Everyone that's seen it is saying: 'Fair enough, it's a penalty'. But was it deliberate? Of course not." And coach Pim Verbeek added: "What is he supposed to do, cut his arm off?"

Television viewing figures suggest the United States public have embraced the World Cup. Twice as many Americans are believed to have watched the first five games of the tournament compared with four years ago.

Slovenia's Robert Koren insists his side will not play for a draw against England on Wednesday, even though a point would be enough to take them through to the last 16 - probably at the expense of Fabio Capello's men.
Koren, whose club future is in doubt now his West Brom contract has expired, said: "We will do everything in our power against England. We will try to win."

www.bbc.co.uk

WC 2010 - 18.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Germany - Serbia, over 2.5 @ 2.10 (Expekt) 0-1 LOST

 

We played an awful game against Ghana and deservedly lost thankfully to bad display and shocking tactic by Antic. Today we’ll put our best effort, but true is we usually can’t cope with Germans. To make the situation even worse, we have to win. And attacking Germans could be very unpleasant. Antic will probably set cautious 4-5-1 to wait for counter attacks or set pieces. That will work until we concede. I never bet against my team and will choose goals instead.

 

Slovenia - USA, NO BET

 

Both sides made positive results after terrible mistakes by goalkeepers. USA is in little bit better position (play Algeria in last round), they have, in my opinion, better team and they wouldn’t be disappointed with a draw today. 2.10 is to low for USA and I will pass this.

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UPDATE:

Serbia won!!! Fantastic! We're crazy people, definitely! Red card for Germans and huge amount of luck were necessary! Game was a bloody horror movie! 

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England - Algeria, England -2ah @ 2.70 (Betsson SB) 0-0 LOST

England will be like a wounded lion. Their self confidence is damaged and will try to send the message, win with 3-4 goals margin. Green has made the same mistake (!) on the training session and will be replaced by James. I expect Crouch alongside Rooney.

Algeria is too poor to do anything, I think. Will try to frustrate Englishmen, but I can not see how they can resist. 

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Wednesday's World Cup round-up

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has prepared his players for the deafening sound of vuvuzelas - by inviting fans to attend the team's training.
Ahead of his side's opening World Cup game against Spain, Hitzfield organised a public training session knowing that spectators would bring their plastic horns.
"It is good for the players to be prepared for what they will hear on the pitch," he explained.

Matthew Upson is certain that team-mate Wayne Rooney will soon end his England goal drought.
Rooney has found the net in only one of his last eight internationals and has not scored for England since September. 
But West Ham defender Upson said: "It will happen. Wayne's movement is great. He is a class player and he is totally gifted. 
"He just needs to relax, play his game and the goals will come because he is top drawer." 

New Zealand hero Winston Reid believes his goal against Slovakia justified his decision to play for the All Whites.
Reid, 21, opted to represent the country of his birth rather than Denmark, where he was brought up from the age of 10.
"For a long time I have been torn between the two countries. I was asking myself if I was a Kiwi or a Dane," said Reid, who won 10 caps for Denmark's Under-21s.
"This is the biggest stage in the world for football and that has to be the most important goal of my life."

Cristiano Ronaldo would have happily swapped his man of the match award for three points against Ivory Coast.
Ronaldo was impressive for Portugal in their Group G opener, but his team were unable to break the deadlock and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. 
The former Manchester United star said: "It's always good to win individual awards. But if I could change it for anything, I would change it for three points. 
"But I would say that nothing is lost. This has happened with England and with other teams."

www.bbc.co.uk

Monday's World Cup round-up

Adidas, maker of the Jabulani World Cup ball, has rejected claims that it was to blame for England goalkeeper Robert Green's error that led to England drawing 1-1 with the United States on Saturday.
Adidas's Thomas Schaikvan said: "We are happy with the ball's performance and we don't think it had anything to do with the goal England conceded. On the contrary, if you look at the games so far, some goalkeepers have been the stars of the tournament.
"The Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and United States goalkeeper Tim Howard won the man-of-the-match award in their games, and the South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was also excellent against Mexico."

Meanwhile, Howard believes the draw with England was a better result than the United States' famous World Cup win in 1950. That 1-0 shock was an isolated success, with the US not appearing in the World Cup for another 40 years, but Howard said the result was evidence of progress.
"It is a better result than 1950," he said. "We are better positioned than we were then. We expected to put a performance in and get at least a draw, which tells you how far we have come." 

France's Florent Malouda has denied that a bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech cost him a starting place against Uruguay:
"It may appear surprising to you, but it was a defensive choice. That's how the manager presented it to me," Malouda said. "I learned of it at 4pm after the meal. It didn't affect my digestion, the pancakes were very good, but there was real disappointment."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has hailed countryman Fabio Capello as "a winner" and tipped England as one of the teams that can win the World Cup.
"England are one of the great threats. It is not because Capello is Italian that is important. It is because he is good, he is a winner," said Lippi. 
"I have said before that the favourites are Brazil and Spain. 

"But personally I also feel Argentina, Germany, Italy, France and England can all win and be careful of Holland. They have all come here because they want to win."

www.bbc.co.uk

12.06. - double

England - USA

For England this is the most important game in the group. Key of their possible success is 1st place. No injuries, no reason for keeping the players for other games.
Americans have declared this game as the most important in their soccer history. No, it is not. It will be that one against Slovenia. They’re decent side and have huge political support (football globalization story), but I doubt they’ll provide some shocks in SA.

Argentina - Nigeria

Argies, in my opinion, have the biggest potential in SA. If there is Passarella, or any other decent coach, instead Maradona, they would be main contenders to win the competition. My biggest concern regarding Argentina is some tactical stupidity by El Pibe that could bury them easily. For the first game he plans very attacking 3-4-3 formation. Hm…
Nigeria is average Africa’s team, no big stars (Anichebe and Martins are the biggest) and maybe key player (Obi Mikel) is injured. I think they can score once.
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England to win (1.53)
Arg-Nig over (1.85)

Double @ 2.83 (bet365)

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Finally starts!!! Antepost

I already wrote explanations for these bets:

England 1st, USA 2nd @ 2.50

Serbia to win the group @ 4.00

Serbia to reach semi-final @9.00

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Now, here're some new bets and some gambles. No explanations.

Spain 1st, Chile 2nd @ 2.10

Uruguay to qualify @ 2.10

Uruguay and South Africa to qualify @ 15.00

Robinho top goalscorer @ 29.00

Luis Suarez top goalscorer @ 51.00

Kaka golden ball @ 15.00

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Choose what you like and good luck.

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EDIT: Another one, have just placed.

Best team goalscorer

Milijas 15.00

Suarez 3.50

Rooney 2.37

treble @ 124.68

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England to win WC - thoughts and history of failures

I was talking with a friend about the possibility England to win WC. Capello, Rooney, few other players in a great shape are the main public arguments for. Against? Goalie, for sure. This is not a league tournament and if James (he’s the closest for number 1) doesn’t stay focus (as he didn’t before Drogba’s free kick at Wembley) it could be the end. Also, I think the history of England’s failures looks interesting.

My memories (correct me if I’m wrong somewhere) start in Mexico ’86. England were eliminated after “god’s hand” by El Pibe. I think, you must have a real bad luck to exit the tournament after referee allows goal like that on WC. Three refs didn’t notice something that all people in front tv saw. One time in thousand cases, I think.
Italy ’90, Shilton conceded a spectacular fluke after free kick against Germany. Later lost after penalties against them.
USA ’94 did not qualify!
France ’98, “Beckham’s case” and another loss after penalties (Argentina).
Korea and Japan ’02. England were stronger than ever. Again free kick and this time Seaman. Well it wasn’t a fluke, but Ronaldinho’s spectacular goal from 40m average goalie should easily stopped.
Germany ’06, again penalties and again Beckham (launched the ball in the orbit from the spot).
My first thought about ECs is 1996. when England were the host. Then was really expected from them to win. But… Again Germans and again penalties. In extra time they were very close to a golden goal, but missed few sitters. Darren Anderton’s was the worst.

A friend asked me, why they lose tragically every time, what could be the reason. I guess Geoff Hurst’s second goal in ’66 did not cross the line : ), who knows.

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Best odd for England to win WC 2010 is 7.50.

Anyway, wish them luck unless they face Serbia in some round.

Bet for today. If Paynter starts for Swindon, take both to score. Otherwise, no bet. So wait the teams confirmation, bbc make it 45 mins before the kick off.

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