Euro 2008 / Paul Moon / 20 March 2008 /

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo looks back at where it all went wrong for England and Wales in their Euro 2008 campaign and tells us why he'll be cheering on Jose Reyes and co

The 2008 UEFA European Football Championships will take place in Austria and Switzerland from 7 June to 29 June 2008 and not one of the home nations will be there.

While it is a national humiliation and disgrace that England have failed to qualify, it is disappointing that Wales messed up also. Scotland did moderately well considering the group that they were in, though were clearly never going to qualify despite given a gilt-edged opportunity.

When the draw was made the Welsh Coach Toshack said "with all due respects to the other teams we are happy with that and can't have many complaints. The key for us is the availability of our best players." I gave this no credence as Wales last qualified in 1958 for a major championship and it is hard to take the principality seriously in sport in anything other than rugby.

Four wins from 12 matches in Group D was a poor effort with uninspiring performances against San Marino and Cyprus. When you pin your hopes on players like Bellamy and Giggs you don't have much chance. Both have let Wales down badly but Ryan Giggs' attitude to Wales goes on record as the worst in modern history! He missed 18 consecutive friendly games, sometimes claiming injury but always being available for Manchester United the following weekend! I would have shown him the door! 12 goals in 64 games for Wales confirm this absentee's loyalty!

Welsh commitment to football is on a par to England's with Ski Jumping! My friends in Wales did get excited about the prospect of playing Germany away in October because it coincided with the Beer Festival. They could not use the Millennium Stadium in September for the first two qualifying games because the Rolling Stones were in concert there. Enough said?

England's failure to qualify represents the biggest road crash in modern day football. Steve McClaren was chiefly responsible. Brian Barwick appointed him and deserves his country's condemnation! Between them they have ruined our summer and the competition is worse without us. Even the silly Sepp Blatter, who hates us, admits this.

McClaren had the finest compilation of English footballers in history, which makes the sin cardinal. He also had luck in that he had the easiest group. His partner in crime Sven-Goran Eriksson said that his successor would have an "easy" job of steering England to Euro 2008. He added: "I think England should be happy with that draw. I'm convinced they will pass through rather easily." The rest is history.

I must have an interest in the competition and will adopt a country and that will be España! I choose them because I love their country and speak Spanish. I also follow their football closely and have watched several matches there. I know they forever disappoint at competitions but they will go close this year. They are [1.94] to win Group D. Sweden are [5.2] with Greece [5.4] and Russia [6.6].

Group C looks like being the group of death this year with Italy [2.72] France [2.94] Holland [3.75] and Romania [11.5]. You would assume Italy would tough it out but who else to qualify? France look fragile (I still remember the Scotland game) so it could be Holland.

The latest Betfair odds to win the tournament show: Germany [5.8] Spain [7] Italy [8.4] Portugal [8.8] France [11] Bar [14]. Germany are favourites not because of their team but because it is a virtual home tournament for them. Being surrounded by Wiener Schnitzel, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut and with huge home support it is bound to help. They are sure to go close.

Croatia will effectively knock out one of the hosts Austria in the Ernst Happel Stadion on the second day of the tournament. They are currently [1.82] to beat Austria [4.2] but you might get nearer even money on the day with home expectation likely to distort the real price. Croatia represents my sleeper or dark horse. They will be extremely hard to beat.

So, with a sigh of acceptance, I will be cheering on our adopted Cesc Fàbregas, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and José Reina. Vamos, España a ganar!

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