Betting on Euro 2012 outsiders

When it comes to a major championship everybody seems to discount the underdogs, how foolish they may be. With long odds and just as much chance of progressing due to the unpredictable nature of these competitions, a bet on the Belgium’s or the Greece’s of the competition could be well worthwhile.

The best example of an underdog doing well at a major championship is of course Greece, the winners of Euro 2004 came out of nowhere and with a lot of defensive steel and a touch of class from a few creative midfielders they managed to win the competition. The odds of a Greece win before the start of the competition were a staggering 150/1 and left anybody who has put any money on them jumping for joy after their 1-0 victory over Portugal.

As far as upsets go it was a big one, however it doesn’t compare to that of Denmark beating rivals Germany in the final of Euro 1992 when they came into the competition with odds as long as 200/1 to win the tournament overall. So they had players like Peter Schemichel and Lars Olsen, but really did anyone expect Denmark to beat footballing giants Germany. Not for a moment, come on!

So who could be ready to cause a shock in this tournament? With a host of young players just hitting the international scene, Belgium could be a shock package for the tournament. Romelu Lukalu is already being touted around Europes giants and after the Didier Drogba comparisons it isn’t difficult to see why he is so coveted. He has pace, power and skill, plus he finishes like a man 10 years his senior, all for an 18 year old boy playing for Anderlecht. As well as Lukalu though there is Axel Witsel and Steven Defour, 2 midfielders who have already been heavily linked with Europe’s top clubs already. Thomas Vermaelaen may have missed most of the 2010/2011 season with injury, but he still remains one of Europe’s best centre halves at only 24. Finally last but not least there is young Eden Hazard, the creative midfielder heavily linked with Manchester United, a player who can create a touch of brilliance from nowhere.

So will it be the Spains, the Germanies or even the Englands with their 7/2’s who win or will it be the outsiders, the Greece’s, the Denmark’s or maybe even the Belgium’s who emerge victorious in 2012.