Russia beat England to 2018 World Cup
After months of England's bid team sucking up to FIFA while the British press were simultaneously sticking the boot in, today we find out if it was all worth it. The decision is expected at 3pm, and you can bet in-play on Betfair until 1pm. We'll keep you as updated as we can on all the twist of turns both in Zurich and the market before Sepp Blatter's much-anticipated announcement...
3.43pm - As expected Qatar have controversially been chosen to host the 2022 World Cup. Congratulations to those who - like the Betfair Contrarian - had Russia backed for 2018.
3.37pm - RUSSIA WIN!
3.35pm - FIFA president Sepp Blatter is on stage but wittering on quite a lot. Apparently as well as being winners, there will be losers too. Gary Linekar says England, who closed at [1.99], lost in the first round!
3.30pm - Helpful observation from Jonathan Pearce commentating on BBC News, who after a shot of Prince William and co awaiting the result muses that they might not know the outcome! The word doing the rounds though is that it won't be odds-on favourites England...
3.20pm - The BBC have cameras at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes, one of the grounds included in England's bid, which has been opened for the public in advance of FIFA's announcement. We're not sure we've ever seen it so full before!
3.15pm - Sepp Blatter is yet to appear on stage but it is thought that the decision has now been made. Portuguese Football Federation head honcho Gilberto Madail has admitted that Iberian chances are minimal, though reports in England suggest otherwise. Marca are saying that their sources believe Russia will host in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
2.35pm - Brace yourself for the least surprising news of the day: it would appear that the announcement will be made later than scheduled, as is always the case with events such as these. The BBC understand that the voting process has yet to be concluded.
2.20pm - A glance at Madrid-based sports daily Marca's coverage of proceedings reveals that the Spanish delegation in Zurich were enraged by Sepp Blatter's positive response to the England presentation and the fact he described it as "excellent". They have Russia marked down as favourites, while The Guardian report that Russian newspaper Izvestia expect their bid to beat the Iberian effort in the final round, with Sepp Blatter's deciding vote seeing Spain and Portugal past England in the second round.
1.10pm - The market is now closed and in two hours we'll find out who has been chosen. Good luck to anyone who has had a flutter. Have England done enough?
12.50pm - Patriotic punters take note: the [1.99] available right now on Betfair on England being chosen is the best price that we can find anywhere, with some bookmakers going as low as [1.57] on Becks and co being given the nod.
12.30pm - One of Russia's main points was that western Europe have staged ten World Cups and the east none and that could prove significant. Since 1986, FIFA have alternated the tournament between nations who have held it before and first-time hosts, and with a return to Brazil scheduled for 2014, there should - according to that pattern - be a new nation in 2018. Russia are [3.1], with FIFA's executive committee currently deliberating behind closed doors ahead of the 3.10pm verdict.
11.45am - Interesting quote gained by the BBC from Vyacheslav Koloskov, once a member of FIFA's executive committee, in which he states his belief that Putin's absence could cost them "one or two votes". Andrey Arshavin has put in a fine display for his country here though.
11.20am - A Russian presentation video just aired and after a lively start with some funky music, it was a bit anti-climactic. A kid came on for Russia against Italy and Andrey Arshavin stepped aside to let him take a free-kick, only for the boy to wake up before it hit the net - it was a dream. Presumably they were going for symbolism, but everyone knows that's the textbook bad ending! Russia are [3.2].
10.40am - The presentation appeared to be well received in Zurich, focussing both on England's contribution to football across the planet in the past and the potential to help do so again in the future if given the chance to stage the World Cup. Despite that, the price remains [1.99].
10.15am - David Cameron insists that "we have the passion and the expertise to put on what we believe will be the most spectacular World Cup in history." It's been a muted response from Betfair punters so far, with England still top of the pile at [1.99].
10am - It's presentation time now for England, and if what Beckham, Cameron and co have to offer is as good as is being suggested, don't be surprised if the favourites move from [2.0] to an odds-on position at the front of the market.
9.30am - Despite the speculation that they have a number of votes tied up, Spain and Portugal have widely been ignored in the betting over the last month. That's all changed over the last 24 hours though, with the Iberian attempt moving in to [4.9]. The word from the BBC though is that their presentation this morning wasn't that well received, whereas the big outsiders - Euro 2000 co-hosts Holland and Belgium ([60.0]) - impressed with their offering.
9.20am - Russia are gradually on their way back in, currently available at the [2.94] mark. The Betfair Contrarian presented this case in favour of backing Russia in July, with several of the arguments still relevant now.
9.10am - It's been suggested that the unsavoury scenes that followed Birmingham's Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa last night could cost England the World Cup, but the same was said over a year ago after the West Ham versus Millwall trouble and it's not an argument we subscribe to. Hooliganism occurs in pretty much every country and, if anything, the intense coverage last night's incidents have received reflects the increasingly rarity of such events.
9.05am - England open the day as [2.0] favourites, completing a turnaround that started last night, with former odds-on favourites Russia out to [3.55]. The word is that the schmoozing of David Beckham, David Cameron, Prince William and co has been well received, while Russia are suffering because of president Vladimir Putin's decision not to travel to Zurich.
Who do you expect FIFA to opt for? Get involved with a comment in the box below...
Published: 2 Dec 2010
Leave a comment