Best to avoid potential winners to top score at Euro 2012
Published:Although a regular occurrence in European championships of the past, David Villa represented the first player in four tournaments to land both the Golden Boot and a winner’s medal at Euro 2008.
Villa’s four goal haul in the competition contributed greatly to Spanish success in Austria and Switzerland, emulating Henrik Larsen of Denmark, who led the goal charts as his country lifted the Euro 92 trophy.
Prior to that tournament two decades ago though, the tournament winner and top scorer double was a much more frequent happening.
Michel Platini’s nine-goal haul saw France claim the 1988 European championships, whilst Marco Van Basten led the way as Holland triumphed in 1984.
It is interesting to note that the Golden Boot winner in the three tournaments between 1992 and 2008 meanwhile, emanated from a side reaching the semi-final of the championships.
Mario Gomez leads the betting at 7/1 to be top tournament goalscorer this year, and many fancy his Germany side to go far in the tournament after making the 2008 final.
Those who fancy Gomez, who scored 41 club goals in all competitions last season, to rekindle a tradition sparked by Villa in the last renewal of the Euros, can take 12/1 about him top scoring in a triumphant German campaign.
He can interestingly also be backed to top score in a tournament where Spain retain their crown, which is a 16/1 chance.
Alternatively, Villa’s Spanish team-mate Fernando Torres can be backed to bring glory to his country as he did when hitting the winner in the 2008 final.
Torres is 18/1 to top score in what would be a third consecutive major tournament win for Spain.
Meanwhile, some punters will be interested in Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of landing the Golden Boot, as he will be widely renowned as the best player in the tournament.
The Real Madrid forward is 12/1 to collect the top scorer accolade, and a big 28/1 shot to outscore all others as favourites Spain lift the trophy once again.
