EURO Monday

Great work from Tom here, both finding an excellent price and picking the winner.

Last night’s dramatic Group A match between Turkey and Czech Republic was undoubtedly the game of Euro 2008 so far and co-hosts Austria will be hoping for something equally as memorable when they take on Germany this evening.

Considered rank outsiders before things got underway, Austria have surprised everybody by still having a chance of reaching the last eight, albeit a slim one.

They must beat old rivals Germany to stand any hope of progressing and although the pre-tournament favourites are still heavily odds-on to set up a quarter-final match with Portugal they might not have things all their own way.

There doesn’t appear much value in the game, but I am very surprised to see Croatia available to back at bigger than 3.0 to get the better of Poland. While it is true that Slaven Bilic’s side have nothing riding on the game, having already secured top spot, Poland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages are so slim, 33/1 shots, that I think the prices are simply wrong.

Croatia were understandably nervous in their opening match against Austria, when edging to a 1-0 win, but they were fantastic against Germany when disposing of them and will play tonight with all the pressure of.

That is bound to work in their favour against a weak Polish team and with a couple of starting places possibly up for grabs too should Bilic choose to rest a few stars then you an be sure that those deputising will be keen to make an impact.

While Portugal were laboured against the Swiss last night, when beaten 2-0, the Croatian boss doesn’t give the impression that he’ll settle for his side taking things easy and at the prices I just have to take a chance that they’ll simply outclass Poland.

The Poles were unlucky to succumb to that Ivica Vastic penalty when held 1-1 by Austria and they still might have that on their minds.