Spain odds-on to make history after scraping into Euro 2012 final
Published:After becoming only the second team in history to make three consecutive major tournament finals, Spain are odds-on at 8/11 to become the first side to successfully defend their European Championship crown.
Despite drawing criticism for a ‘boring’ style of play throughout the tournament, and a failure to play with an orthodox striker, La Rojas still find themselves facing a final with Germany or Italy.
However, their advancement to that stage was less than straightforward, as they struggled to overcome Portugal on Wednesday night, and needed penalties to do so after a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes.
That performance was one of their least impressive since arriving in Poland and Ukraine, and thus some punters may be reluctant to side with the Spanish at such a short price to lift the trophy.
En route to their last two finals, Spain recorded victories in normal time at the semi-final stage, though a more positive omen comes from them not conceding in the match, which they also failed to do when winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
The sheer quality within their ranks will also be enough to encourage many to invest in Spain, and snub 13/2 Italy, and 13/8 Germany, who are hoping to meet the Spanish in the final for the second European championships running.
Somewhat ironically, Germany are the only side to have previously made three major tournament finals back-to-back, so it could prove fitting for they and Spain to clash in the final again, as many expected pre-tournament.
Amidst their march to the final too, Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta has been afforded clear favouritism in the Player of the Tournament betting.
Despite not finding the net in Poland and Ukraine, Barcelona star Iniesta has been the star performer in Vicente del Bosque’s side, and looks well worth a punt for the accolade at 9/4.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
