Bet Facts / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 29 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Spain were matched at a high of 19.5 on Betfair to win Euro 2008 with a 1-0 win over Germany (tournament low of 2.12) in the final enough to hand them the tournament, which most neutrals probably agree was no more than they deserved...

Fernando Torres was matched at a high of [7.6] to open the scoring and those who pushed the boat out a little more and predicted that the Liverpool hitman would score in a match decided by just the single goal secured odds of [29.0] on just that happening. That the first goal of the match would come between the 31st and 40th minute was a [8.8] chance, 1-0 was backed at [9.0] and those who currently thought that there would be just the one goal in the match managed to get [5.9] in-running.

Having scored six goals in their last two matches, Germany were expected to get at least one in the final but a tired-looking front line and a midfield lacking ideas allowed Spain to keep a clean sheet for a third successive match with the Spain clean sheet matched at [2.6].

David Villa missed the final through injury but the four goals he scored during the group stages were enough to allow backers of the Valencia striker, whose agent will probably have been quite busy in the last few weeks, to cash in at odds of [26.0]. A few Betfair punters out there who thought Villa would topscore in the tournament as his side went on to win, got odds of [65.0] about this double.

There were no red cards in the final and a combination of good behaviour by the players and somewhat lenient refereeing caught those who laid 5 red cards or less throughout the tournament somewhat unaware, as this was matched at a high of [4.9]; 144 or less cards (of either colour) was matched at [2.6].

Betfair spokesman James Pacheco said:" After Greece's shock win last time round it was a case of a return to normality with the two favourites going into the tournament contesting the final. Spain were matched at a high of [19.5] pre-tournament and those who correctly predicted that Villa would topscore as his side won got massive odds of [65.0] on the double. Germany were matched at [2.12] to win the tournament after booking their place in the final but Joachim will be feeling pretty Low tonight after his side's performance in the final."

Tags: David Villa, Euro 2008 odds, Euro 2008 winners