A great Euro 2008 final could be in the cards on Sunday as Spain takes on Germany. Spain has been playing superbly, unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions while Germany has the big game experience. Spain could be without David Villa who is the leading goal scorer in the tournament but they have a lot of depth and Cesc Fabregas is a nice replacement.

Spain is -.5 goal (+135) with a total of 2.5 under (-150) at SBG Global
Three-way line – Spain +135, Germany +210, Draw +210

The matchups are interesting all across the field in Euro 2008. Germany’s Philip Lahm against Spain’s Sergio Ramos should be interesting and the matchup in goal could decide the game. Spain’s Iker Casillas has been excellent while Germany’s Jens Lehmann has been somewhat shaky. The midfield battle will be fascinating to watch with Germany’s Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger having to deal with offensive talents like Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso. “I don’t think there’s a clear favorite,” Alonso said.

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The only rematch in the Soccer Betting Euro 2008 so far will take place in Thursday’s semifinal as Russia takes on Spain.

The two teams met in group play when Spain routed Russia by a score of 4-1. Since that loss the Russians have turned it on with victories against Greece, Sweden and the Netherlands. One of the biggest reasons for the improved play for Russia has been the return of Andrei Arshavin, who missed the first two games due to suspension.

Spain is -.5 goal (Even) with a total of 2.5 under (-150) at SBG Global
Three-way line – Spain even, Russia +235, Draw +235

Spain has a high powered attack that has outscored teams in Euro 2008 but Russia doesn’t seem fazed by the offense. Russia didn’t back down from the high scoring Netherlands and doesn’t expect to slow down against Spain. “Russia will play their normal way. We don’t play defensive football, we like to attack. But it doesn’t all depend on us. Let’s see how the Spaniards do.” Arshavin said, “Maybe it makes it harder for us that we play such an open kind of football…

Read more on Euro 2008 Semifinal Betting Preview: Russia vs Spain

Germany subdues Turkey 3-2 in their semifinal match of the Euro 2008 at St. Jakob-Park Basel.

Turkey, who came from behind to beat Switzerland and the Czech Republic in the group stage and Croatia in the quarter-finals, appeared to have pulled off another remarkable comeback, but with seconds of normal time remaining left-back Philipp Lahm exchanged passes with Thomas Hitzlsperger before curling the ball past Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber to send Germany into raptures and into the Euro 2008 finals.

“It unleashed all that joy. It was my most important goal,” said Philip Lahm, especially with it coming immediately after a major error. “In the moments leading up to 2-2, I certainly looked bad. It happens to me, too.”

With two goals in the final five minutes, the match could have gone either way, but after three stunning comeback victories in a row for Turkey, it was Germany’s day. The changes were all in midfield or attack. Yet Turkey, so sterile for so long against Croatia, started briskly and dangerously.

Read more on Germany’s Philipp Lahm hit the game winning goal for Germany and into the 2008 Euro finals

If Turkey is able to win against Germany in the Soccer Betting semifinals of Euro 2008 it will be considered a monumental accomplishment.

Turkey will be without six players and possibly more in Wednesday’s football match. “Of course having lots of injured players is hard but the players who fill their places will give their utmost,” Turkey forward Semih Senturk said. Turkey will be without goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, who was given a red card at the end of Turkey’s win over the Czech Republic and is serving the second game of his two-game suspension. Defender Emre Asik is out and midfielders Tuncay Sanli and Arda Turan are also suspended after picking up two yellow cards each.

In addition to the suspensions, Turkey will be without forward Nihat Kahveci who is out with a thigh injury. He scored twice in the win over the Czechs. Emre Gungor is also out with an injury and Servet Cetin and Tumer Metin are doubtful. The only positive is that captain Emre Belozoglu might have a chance to play but that decision won’t be made until just before the match begins.

Germany is -1.5 goals (+115) with a total of 2.5 under at SBG Global
Three-way line: Germany -300, Turkey +750, Draw +325

Germany is in great shape on the other side. Coach Joachim Loew has everyone at his disposal for Wednesday’s match.

Read more on Euro 2008 Semifinal Betting Preview: Turkey vs Germany

In the first quarter final outing Germany beat Portugal by 2-3 then Turkey stunned Croatia by 3-1 in penalty shootout. The second quarter final game team Russia beat Holland 3-1 in extra time and Spain beat 2006 FIFA World Cup champion Italy in penalties by 4-2.

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Russia and Spain are two teams leading in the shooting rankings with Spain hitting the target most times, 28, and Russia missing it the most, 44.

Russia has scored in every game of the Euro 2008 so far while Spain could not break down the Italian defense in their last game. Their clean sheet against Italy was Spain’s first while Russia kept two in the Group Stage.

Russia has never been involved in a penalty shoot-out in a major tournament while Spain finally won a penalty shoot out on the 22nd of June: after losing against Belgium in 1986, England in 1996 and South Korea in 2002 in this very same day, “La Roja” have qualified for the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time since 1984.

Read more on The Euro 2008 has reached the semi final stage after the exciting and thrilling quarter finals

The two darkhorses in the Soccer Betting Euro 2008 quarterfinals will battle on Friday as Croatia faces Turkey.

Croatia was one of only three teams that came through the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record. “We are the better team,” said coach Slaven Bilic.

Croatia will have some lineup changes as Ivan Rakitic and Dario Srna are ready to go for Friday but defender Dario Knezevic and striker Igor Budan are out. “I do not have sleepless nights over them. I have plenty of options and have a good choice.” Bilic said. “We will do everything to beat Turkey. We have the strength and the quality to do it,” Billic added.

Croatia is -.5 (-120) with a total of 2 over (-140) at SBG Global
Three-way line – Croatia -120, Turkey +335, Draw +235

The last time Croatia reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament was in the 1998 World Cup when they beat Germany and ended up finishing third. They seem very confident for Friday’s matchup against Turkey. “The euphoria amongst fans and players is huge, but we have to concentrate on the game against Turkey,” said Mladen Petric.

Read more on Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Betting Preview: Croatia vs Turkey

One of the first big matches in Euro 2008 takes place today as Italy faces the Netherlands. The game will take place at Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland and should be one of the best ones so far in the tournament. Both teams have been picked to do well and neither wants to start with a loss. The Netherlands will be missing Arjen Robben who is out with an injury. They are also without Ryan Babela and Van Persie. The key player for the Dutch is Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He will look to lead the Netherlands offense against Italy.

Italy is -.5 (+130) with a total of 2 over (-120) at SBG Global
Three-way line – Italy +130, Netherlands +220, Draw +210

The Italians are without Fabio Cannavaro who is injured while Cristian Panucci is also hurt but expected to play. The key player for Italy is Luca Toni who had a great year for Bayern Munich with 39 goals and 12 assists in 46 matches. He will team with Daniel Derossi to lead the attack.

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England shut out the United States 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium in England. Captain John Terry and Steven Gerrard scored goals for the English squad. The United States squad is playing three friendlies before their World Cup qualifier next month against Barbados. In addition to England, the U.S. will play Spain and Argentina. If the English result is any indication, the U.S. has a long way to go.

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The match was completely dominated by England. Terry headed in David Beckham’s free kick in the 38th minute to give England the lead. Gerrard made it 2-0 taking a Gareth Barry pass in the 59th minute. The match was attended by only 71,233 fans, the smallest England crowd since the stadium was rebuilt and reopened a year ago.

England had a very experienced team that kept control of the match from the beginning. England nearly scored in the 11th minute but referee Kyros Vassaras blew the whistle forcing a second free kick after England would have scored on the first one. Beckham proved that he still has a lot left as he set up a number of good chances for England in the first half. He did not play the second half.

Read more on Soccer Betting Preview: England Dominates U.S. in Friendly

All 16 teams that will be competing in this year’s European Soccer Betting Championship will play friendlies on Wednesday as teams start to get their rosters ready for the summer tournament that begins on June 7th. Other teams that are not part of the tournament like the United States and England also play on Wednesday.

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The interesting friendlies on Wednesday have Spain facing Italy, France vs. England; Poland vs. the United States and Sweden vs. Brazil. The United State roster was announced and includes Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson. Landon Donovan will be making his 99th international appearance for the United States. Defender Jonathan Spector also is on the roster after starting for the U.S. under-23 team. The coach’s son, Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley is also on the team. The U.S. is 3-14-3 in Europe since April 1999. The U.S. team beat Sweden 2-0 and tied Mexico 2-2 in its first two games this year. The United States opens World Cup qualifying against Barbados or Dominica on June 15 at Carson, Calif. Poland is part of the Euro Championship in a group with Austria, Germany and Croatia. Poland and the U.S. last played in March 2006 with the U.S. winning 1-0 in a match played in Germany.

Spain is trying to get their roster organized as coach Luis Aragones called up Getafe midfielder Ruben De La Red and dropped FC Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic. Barcelona defender Carles Puyol returns from injury but Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez is still out. Gonzalez is Spain’s all-time leading scorer with 44 goals in 102 games.

Soccer Betting Preview: International Friendlies on Wednesday

The 2008 African Nations Cup, which is the biggest international football tournament in Africa will be kicking off in Ghana on January 20, 2008 and will play until the 2008 African Nations Cup championship match on February 10, 2008.

Several top African footballers have been called upon to take part in the 2008 African Nations Cup, which will put some gaps in several clubs all over different European and South American football leagues. Some key African footballers who will be noticeably missed include Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o of Spanish Primera Divsion club FC Barcelona, Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien of English Premier League club Chelsea, Moroccan international Tarik Sektioui of Portuguese Liga club FC Porto, South African striker Sibusiso Zuma of German Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld, Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop of English Premier club Portsmouth, Senegalese forward El Hadji Diouf of English Premier Club Bolton Wanderers, Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra of Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid, Malian forward Frederic Kanoute of UEFA Cup champions Sevilla FC, Malian midfielder Mohamed Sissoko of English Premier club Liverpool FC, Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel of English Premier League club Chelsea, Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu of English Premier club Portsmouth, and Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Hassan of German Bundesliga club Anderlecht among others.

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