U21 Euro Championship: Glory awaits prolific Germany

5Jun 2013

Betfair

As the U21 tournament nears lift-off in Israel, Christian Crowther throws the spotlight on the major outright markets...

Tournament Winner

It's no great surprise to see the two dominant forces on the European football map lead the way in the betting for this year's edition. Holders Spain bear the favourites tag, priced at 3.05 to emulate their senior counterparts in retaining their European Championship crown. Meanwhile, 2009 champions Germany 5.2 remain shorter than Italy 6.8, England 7.4 and successive winners in 2006 and 2007 the Netherlands at 8.0. You have to feel for Russia 24.0, who have been thrown in with the last three champions - Spain, Germany and Netherlands - who all reside in Group B. This immediately boosts the chance of either Italy or England, paired with hosts Israel and rank outsiders Norway, both devoid of realistic hopes. However, one of Spain or Germany will no doubt await the Young Lions and the Azzurrini in the semis. Off the back of the most emphatic qualifying campaign, which witnessed 43 goals, and riding the crest of a Champions League-generated wave, the young Germans can prosper again.
Best Bet: Back Germany to win U21 Euro Championship @ 5.2

Top Goalscorer
Spain's Rodrigo was the toast of their qualifying campaign, finding the net a spectacular 11 times in just nine appearances. The Benfica man is undoubtedly one to watch in the hunt to be top scorer. He is the 9.4 favourite and, at those odds, it's worth a punt. However, this is an opportunity to squeeze even more value out of juicy odds by picking one of the other hotshots. Rodrigo's compatriot Isco 29.0 is an interesting pick, having notched six goals himself en route to Israel, and looking to impress before a potential big-money move from Malaga. However, having already touted Germany for glory, Togo-born Peniel Mlapa, who notched eight in qualifying, is handsomely priced at 22.0 to fire his way to the top of the pile.
Recommended Bet: Back Peniel Mlapa to be top scorer @ 22.0

To Reach The Final
Having earmarked the Germans for glory, it's also worth highlighting their price of 2.3 to reach the final for those on the same wavelength. With Spain's chances considered so strong to make it to the tournament showpiece, it may pay to look outside of these two behemoths altogether though. England tasted defeat at Germany's hands in the 2009 final and it will almost certainly be up to one of them or Italy to prevent a Spain v Germany conclusion. If they can win Group A, in-form England may well be that team and they are priced at 2.64.
Recommended Bet: Back England to reach the final @ 2.64