After 44 years Spain have finally cracked it for one of the big ones, this time it’s the Euro2008 Football tournament and they have done it with real style winning 1-0 against Germany. To cap it off the Golden Boot award has gone to Spain’s David Villa despite not playing in the final.

Now it’s time to shift focus to next seasons home leagues, perhaps sort out some of the manager appointments and player trades. There is still quite a bit of betting action on those outcomes particularly on the betting exchanges. When the new season starts check football.betting.pn for the latest in football betting hints, tips and sportsbook links.

Worldcup2010 will start to heat up now as we get closer to the final elimination rounds. Can Spain hold on to this form for 2010? Will England make it to these finals? There are many questions to ask and only time will provide answers.

The cricket series against the Kiwis has come and gone – I hope you had a little on the Kiwis in the one day competition as I suggested. They really did turn the tables there after failing to win the test series.

For now we are left with the tennis at Wimbledon as the summer continues. UK Betting Central has all the top links to sportbooks betting on this years tennis at Wimbledon.

Euro2008 Football action finally comes to a close today. Three weeks and 30 games later and it all comes down to two teams – Spain and Germany.

Probably the two teams favoured to fight out the finals right from day one and if you had backed either one of these you will be feeling pretty good about yourself – now is time to get them home – or perhaps see if you can lay a saver bet on the other team.

Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets on this match if Cesc Fabregas scores at any time in 90mins. They have a draw at 5/2, Germany at 11/5 and Spain at 5/4. I like the chances of a draw at 5/2 in normal time.

Other betting odds include:

Germany win 12/5 Betterbet
Draw 11/5 VC bet
Spain win 13/10 Centrebet

VCBet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets as a free bet on any future match if your selection fails to score the first goal but scores at any other time in the match.3

VCBet will refund all losing Correct Score, First Goalscorer and Double Result (HT/FT) bets if the game finishes 0-0 as a free bet on any future match.4

Conditions apply for all these bets so check on each bookmaker first. For more football betting information check out football.betting.pn.

Starting with the cricket, the Kiwis take on England in the 4th one day international. I mentioned backing the Kiwi’s the other day and I am sticking to it.

In the tennis at Wimbledon, it’s day three and there are yet more exciting matches taking place, including Igor Andreev against David Ferrer (2/7) and Tomas Berdych (1/8) against Victor Hanescu. You can also bet in play on all five courts covered by the BBC’s interactive service through Ladbrokes.

In the Euro2008 Football, Turkey take on Germany tonight and Joachim Low’s men will go into the game as the strong 2/5 favourites. Elsewhere, the influential Michael Ballack is 33/1 to score first in a 2-1 win, while 13/5 is available on over four goals being scored in the 90 mins.

Germany vs Turkey is 6/4 to be the highest scoring game, Germany and Spain are both 19/10 to win, while Luis Aragones’ side are 7/4 to score the most goals

It’s a wonderful start to the summer if you are a keen punter. The Euro2008 Football tournament is in its last week and as usual this competition has given up some surprise results, none more than the losses of Netherlands and Croatia to Russia and Turkey. Back Russia each way.

The Golden Boot looks like going to Spain’s David Villa as all his close rivals have been eliminated in recent days. He is almost unbackable showing less than evens on sportsbooks today.

The tennis season comes to a head starting tomorrow with Wimbledon’s crazy two weeks of top tennis action. All the top stars will be there and as usual there will be tears and jeers along the way. The ladies will as usual provide more grunts than the combined British Army.

In cricket, England and New Zealand continue to battle for one day supremacy. With the two matches to go and the series tied at 1-1 anything can happen. I tip the Kiwi’s to spring a surprise series win at nice odds with the sportsbooks.

Finally, speaking of all things cricket. Many of us have bet on the cricket particularly when we play our arch rivals, the Aussies, for the coveted Ashes. All sports fan will be saddened to hear of the sudden death of Jane MrGrath, the wife of former champion fastbowler Glen McGrath. All cricket fans will know of her decade long battle with cancer. She died at home early Sunday morning (Aust time) with Glen and her two young children by her side.

It’s quarter final time in the Euro2008 Football Tournament so its all or nothing now – lose one match and your going home. Every win is one step closer to holding that coveted trophy.

The first quarter final has been and gone and Germany have finally found some form to finish Portugal’s claim to the title. Today’s game sees Croatia take on Turkey in what should be a fairly easy win. This is football – Euro2008 Football at that so look out for any surprises.

Tomorrow’s match pits surprise packet Netherlands take on disappointing Russia in what should be an interesting match. Sunday’s game continues the battle for supremacy between Spain and Italy. Italy’s form has been poor whilst Spain are possibly the best team left in the competition.

Ladbrokes have some super special bets available.

Croatia : QF 7/4 : SF 5/4 : RU 4/1 : Win 7/1
Turkey : QF 2/5 : SF 11/4 : RU 10/1 : Win 22/1
Spain : QF 11/10 : SF 13/5 : RU 9/2 : Win 3/1

Other football specials include:

Total Goals (cur 62) = less than 75.5 : 5/6
Total Pen (cur 5) = over 6.5 : 5/6
Yellow cards (cur 99) = under 129.5 : 5/6

For more specials and links to the top sportsbooks, visit UK Betting Central

Croatia are the stand out team to date leading Group B with 9 points from Germany on 6. In other groups, Portugal and Turkey lead Group A on 6 points; Holland lead Group C and Italy Group D.

Later today Holland take on Romania which should be a training run for the Dutch team. The other match will be a beauty with Italy taking on France. This is a flip a coin match with both teams desperate for a win and some valuable competition points – one of these teams will be going home early. On current form, a draw seems the likely result. Back whichever team get the 0.5 start.

Tomorrow, Greece take on Spain. Again this looks like a training run for Spain who are showing championship qualities. Greece is yet to win a game. In the other game to complete the groups stage, Russia take on Sweden. One of these teams is going home after tomorrows game and I fancy it’s Sweden.

The first of the finals will see Turkey take on Croatia whilst Portugal take on Germany – now that will be a match worth seeing.

If you want to keep up to date with the latest betting on these matches, check out BritBets for Betting Updates or visit UK Betting Central for links to all the top sportsbooks.

Euro2008 is expected to set turnover records when it comes to gambling this year. With so many surprises so far it is going to be an exciting run home to the finish.

Spain down and almost out. Germany down but not quite out and Croatia the surprise package of the tournament. Germany, who were the raging favorites have now drifted and you get as much as 7.0 on them.

Surprisingly, Holland are now favorites a touch ahead of Spain followed by Portugal and Germany. Croatia round out all those under 10/1 – the rest you could almost write your own ticket.

Croatia win over Germany has been one of the biggest surprises – but then this is football and anything can happen. Don’t write Germany off, they are a good team and 1-1 record should still see them into the next round.

Holland and Croatia are playing well and anyone who backed them early will be feeling pretty good, particularly with the odds at the time.

I am sticking with Germany and the odds are a little better now.

Now that the opening weekend hype for the Euro2008 Football is over with it is time to get down to some serious football and some serious punting.

Germany have firmed in to 7/2 on most markets although there are several with them as short as 3/1. Germany played well and seem to be in good form. Portugal, while also coming away with the three points, didn’t look anywhere near as convincing and, although second favourite at 5/1, after today’s games I expect they may drift out with Spain the team to firm up.

Spain (currently 11/2) play Russia today and I expect them to win well. They may come in a full point to 9/2 so if you can get the 11/2 – back them now.

Italy are on the fourth line of betting at 15/2 and that looks a little over the odds. If you are looking for value then Italy may be the team to help you out.

The Golden Boot is wide open although Lukas Podolski now has the points on the board, two goals scored for Germany against Turkey. Podolski is very short at 11/4. If you are looking for value then perhaps Spain’s David Villa may be worth a small wager – 9/2 can be found for him.

For all the betting action on Euro2008 Football visit UK Betting Central sportsbooks.

Host Switzerland went down in their first match but there is still plenty of action left in this marathon championship finals. There are some top bets being offered too.

Red Card Refund from Paddy Power – If a player is shown a red card in any of the group matches Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on that match.

First Player To Score Offer from Stan James – Bet on who you think will be the First Player to Score in any Euro 2008 match, and if your selection fails to get the first goal, but scores at any other time, Stan James will give you your money back as a free bet!

Ladbrokes have nice odds for outright wins:

Germany: 5.5
Portugal: 6.5
Spain: 6.5
Italy: 8

On Sunday we see Austria play Croatia. Austria are will want a point in their opening game would give them a fair chance of qualifying.

Germany are at a good price at 4/7 to beat Poland but a better bet could be Miroslav Klose to score first. He has ten World Cup goals to his name and seems to start international tournaments very well and 9/2 with Paddy Power is a good price.

Grab all the action in betting from UK Betting Central

The countdown to Euro2008 Football has started with teams making final preparation for this weekends opening clashes. Its not only the teams that are lining up. The sports bookmakers are running hot taking bets and fine tuning their odds.

Euro2008 Football opens this weekend with the following matches:

Saturday 7 June 2008

Switzerland v Czech Republic
France v Greece
Italy v Spain
Portugal v Turkey

Sunday 8 June 2008

Austria v Croatia
Germany v Poland

The bookies are lining up with special bets being offered. We will have a rundown of some of the special bets on offer later in the week. In the meantime, check out the following sporting books to see what early bird specials they may have for Euro2008 Football.

Ladbrokes – the leader in the industry – they always have great offers including matching deposits.

Bet365: Number 1 for in play betting. Check them out to see if you qualify for up to £100 in free bets.

Paddy Power: The outlandish Irishman, Paddy has always got some money back specials – yep, he often coughs up on losing bets – its always nice to get a free bet when your first one goes down the drain.

BetFair: The betting exchange where you can take on each other at the odds of your choosing.

Stan James: Sports Betting with innovative markets at value prices – that’s their trademark and with free bets, good prices and great value – you cannot go wrong – apart from your tips.

Sporting Bet: with a welcome bonus of up to £150 and sporting fixed odds betting, Sporting Bet continues to grow as a top sports betting establishment.

There you have it, the first matches for Euro2008 Football with some of the top bookies offering good prices, nice bonuses, and secure betting. Check those and many others through our UK Betting Central sports bookmakers links. Bring on the weekend.