FAO Brandonio

Just carrying on our discussion from below - my trouble is I always just have a bet on the winners, but Germany are too short priced to make it worthwhile really. It's probably for the best if I keep my money in my pocket too: whereas my World Cup record's pretty decent, my European Championship one is HOPELESS!

1990: West Germany - KER-CHING!

1992: Yugoslavia - couldn't make up my mind once they were kicked out, so didn't tip anyone else. I knew it was wide open, and wasn't convinced by any of the main contenders - but would never ever have picked Denmark. Jimmy Greaves did, mind: he spotted something early in the tournament that no-one else did.

1994: Argentina - and if Maradona hadn't been caught...

1996: Italy - sodding Sacchi. Domenech is the new Sacchi, by the way: his luck's about to run out too I believe.

1998: England - oops!

2000: Spain - a lesson learned.

2002: Brazil - KER-CHING! They were only fourth favourites too: a year earlier, they were knocked out of the Copa America. By Honduras.

2004: Italy - carve-up! Fix! Conspiracy!

2006: Italy - KER-CHING!

Incidentally, on the Dutch: I've just got a feeling about them. Their form since they qualified has been good, they're very unfancied back home so there's no pressure on them, and there's the Van Basten at the Euros factor too. We'll see - but I think they can make names for themselves by upsetting Spain and Italy in two epic knock-out games.

Posted By: thebigfeller, Jun 5, 13:58:17