Euro 2012 11am Bulletin: Pace is the key to beating Italians

I spoke only yesterday about how Cristiano Ronaldo was emerging - finally it has to be said - as one of the tournament's best players, so it was pleasing to see him put in another good performance and reward First Goalscorer backers last night.

Portugal dominated their quarter-final encounter against the Czech Republic and fully deserve their place in the last four where they'll meet either France or Spain.

And Ronaldo believes Portugal are good enough to reach the final itself - "Our great aim is to get to the final. We have a great squad and now I'd say the chances are 50-50 and we just have to believe", he said, before adding, "We are very mature, so we are ready for the fight."

Portugal's odds to win Euro 2012 have shortened to 6.411/2 after last night's victory and Ronaldo himself is into 4.47/2 to be the tournament's Top Goalscorer. He currently has three goals to his name which is the same as Mario Gomez (2.6413/8) who gets his chance to add to his tally when Germany face Greece tonight.

Politics, bailouts, and Eurozone exits (what!) aside I expect Germany to be far too strong for Greece who will be without their suspended captain Giorgios Karagounis for this quarter-final clash. A Germany Win to Nil - available to back at 1.981/1 - looks the best bet of this game with the winners meeting England... or possibly Italy... in the last four.

A lot has been said about England's growing togetherness and spirit within the camp, which is all good, but we'll need a lot more than that if we are to progress past the Italians.

My fear is that Roy Hodgson will start with the same XI that beat Ukraine, and if we're being frank, we weren't very good in that game against one of the tournament's lesser lights. Italy are a well organised unit but if they do struggle then it usually comes against pace. An on-form Ashley Young, and Theo Walcott starting on the right instead of James Milner, would be England's best chance of success I feel.

A bit of support has come England's way in the Match Odds market however; the Three Lions are available to back at 2.915/8 now (from 3.185/40) whilst Italy are going the other way, out to 2.962/1 from around 2.77/4. The Draw can be backed at 3.185/40.

And the news that you all want to hear is that England HAVE been practising penalties, and they can be backed at 10.09/1 to win via this method. Let's just hope we don't have to take any spot-kicks against Germany if we get that far or it will definitely be a case of auf wiedersehen Drei Löwen!

Recommended Bet:

Back Germany Win to Nil @ 1.981/1 v Greece