womens euro 2005 5/6/05

[edtkh]

Although the Swedes haven't set the tournament alight, they are proving to be slow starters who are starting to click into gear now as the semis approach.
Having drawn the first 2 group games, they looked to be in trouble needing a win against hosts England in the final group game to qualify for the semis and their 1-0 win over the English should go a long way to prove the defeated finalists at the last World Cup is still very much a force to be reckoned with.
Having said that, the Norwegians haven't done all that badly themselves either having thumped Italy 5-3, drawn 1-1 with France and lost 1-0 to champions Germany in their group games. However, I just don't see them having the mettle to go the distance and I'd expect the Swedes - who have still to lose in this tourny - to prevail in a tight game. This is also very much a UNDER 2.5 prospect IMO.


10pts LAY Norway on level handicap (2.08 @ Betfair)
10pts UNDER 2.5 Goals (1.92 @ Betfair)

[spreadman]

Hi, edtkh, I thought this thread was dead!
However, I have to agree with you as far as the under 2.5 goals call is concerned, although this does go against the facts indicated by the tournament goal averages, which are around 3 per match.

On the face of it, Sweden appear to be favourites, and I bow to your superior knowledge on the Scandinavian teams.

Whatever the result, I am sure that we will be treated to a high standard of football, hopefully on a par with the German ladies team, last night.

SWEDEN v NORWAY, EUROSPORT, 6p.m.

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by spreadman

Hi, edtkh, I thought this thread was dead!
However, I have to agree with you as far as the under 2.5 goals call is concerned, although this does go against the facts indicated by the tournament goal averages, which are around 3 per match.

On the face of it, Sweden appear to be favourites, and I bow to your superior knowledge on the Scandinavian teams.

Whatever the result, I am sure that we will be treated to a high standard of football, hopefully on a par with the German ladies team, last night.

SWEDEN v NORWAY, EUROSPORT, 6p.m.

Cheers, spreadman.

Well, here are the teams' group stage results :

Sweden 1-1 Denmark (5th June)
Sweden 0-0 Finland (8th June)
Sweden 1-0 England (11th June)

Norway 0-1 Germany (6th June)
Norway 1-1 France (9th June)
Norway 5-3 Italy (12th June)

In 5 of the 6 matches the 2 sides have played so far, only one has been over 2.5. Then again, Italy were thrash in the tourny going down 1-4 to the Germans and 1-3 to the French(basically, it was >2.5 for all the games involving the Italians) so it certainly wouldn't make much sense to give that result too much thought. As for the match outcome, I'd stick with backing the Swedes on the level ball handicap so as to ensure I get my stakes back in the event of a draw...

[Snowman]

Its Sweden for me for sure tonight. Look at it that way: the Swedes are the runner up favourites. They have started slow, but whatever they needed they accomplished. When it became tough they beat, not only beat, but eliminated the host nation (which was not Georgia for example but England). How many times have we seen favourites playing bad in the gruop stange, end then ressurecting to take the cup ?

On the other side we have Norwegians that have not shown much. Lost to Germany, drawn with France, and then they qualified aftere they won a totally unimportant game against poor Italy, that became important only after Germans thumped the French by scoring three in the last 18 minutes (I think if the match was a draw France would have gone through, should check that).

So, there is no doubt that Swedes are on their way up, and Norwegians cant cope with them. A pretty safe Swedish win I think.

[spreadman]

Sound reasoning, edtkh and snowman. Here are some stats that may be of use,though there is only one more match remaining to bet on, the final, eurosport, k.o., Sunday afternoon 3.15 p.m..

These are the averages: total goals=3, bookings=24, shirt numbers=32, hotshots=23.

I am considering: under 2.5 goals, sell bookings at 35 or less, sell shirts at 28.

Total corners has been erratic recently, ranging from 4 up to 14, so no bet there.

Good luck to all, enjoy the game.