On Wednesday the United States soccer team faced a powerful foe in Spain in the Confedertions Cup semi-final in South Africa.  The United States could have been in awe of Spains 35 game winning streak.  During that period the Spanish team only allowed 11 goals to be scored against them.  On Wednesday the United States soccer team managed to get 2 and that was 1 more than they needed as they ended Spains winning streak with a 2-0 victory.  Now the United States is in the final against another soccer giant in the Brazilian team.  Can they pull 2 major upsets off in a row?

In NBA news Hedo Turkoglu has opted out of his conract with the Orlando Magic.  Turkoglu was due 7.3 million dollars next year but his hoping for a long term contract that would pay him 10 million per year.  Orlando will find it hard to pay that amount since they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets the day before.  Turkoglu averaged almost 17 points per game this season and was a major factor in the Magics run to the NBA Finals.  Cleveland fans got something to cheer about as Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Cavaliers on Thursday.  Shaq has made a pretty good career by teaming with superstars.  He won 3 NBA titles with Kobe Bryant and one with Dwayne Wade.  Now he has the opportunity to play with LeBron James.  Is another NBA title in his future?

At Wimbledon Roger Federer managed to lose a set to 27th ranked Philipp Kohlschreiber but hung on to win and move on to face Roger Soderling on Monday.  Federer is chasing his record breaking 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.  The chase will get just a little tougher on Monday.  On the ladies side Serena Williams was late for her match against Roberta Vinci of Italy.  The American won fairly easily to move on to play Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

The issue of steroid use in Major League Baseball has been heavily covered for the past few years.  Today the Chicago Sports Writers Association voted to not allow any new guidelines when it comes to voting players to the Hall Of Fame if they have used steroids.  Some of the bigger names who have been in the steroid using limelight is Barry Bonds, Roger Clemons, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGwire.  One of the categories for determining your vote is on character.  This issue has been highly debated.  If performance enhancing drugs made you better than you would have normally been should you get elected to the Hall?  It is my personal opinion that it still takes a very special core of athletic ability to be a superstar.  If you gave any player in the Major Leagues steroids could they break Hank Aarons home run record?  I don’t think so.  The ability has to be there or not.  Would Pete Rose have gotten twice as many hits had he of used steriods? I don’t think so.  These are great baseball players who were great long before they took performance enhancing drugs.  To error is human, to forgive is devine.  These players deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.  Until we meet again good betting and remember to always be a good sport.

All eyes are on Wimbledon as Rafael Nadal holds the tennis world in suspense while he makes the heart wreching decision if he will participate when the action begins on Monday.  If today play was any sign of things to come don’t hold your breath.  Rafael played Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition today and lost both sets 6-4 and 6-3.  He is supposed to announce on Friday if his injured knees will allow him to compete.  Todays loss was his first since he dropped one to Roger Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.  Nadal is riding 7-2 odds if he competes at Wimbledon.  Nadal is due to play another exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday.  He has said he will make his decision after that match.  Nadal was diagnosed with tendinitis last November and missed the Davis Cup soon after.  The mens field at the 2009 Wimbledon is strong with Roger Federer coming in at 2-3 odds looking for no less than his 6th Wimbledon Title and his 15th Major.  Andy Murray has 3-1 odds while Andy Roddick is a 18-1 favorite.  The world and the field will have to wait as one to see what role Nadals knee will play in the outcome.

Read more on Online Tennis Odds!

Today in Farmington, New York the U.S. Open Golf Tournament got under way.  However, the only thing falling into the holes was rain.  Tiger Woods barely finished his 7th hole when rain postponed the event being held at Bethpage Black Golf Course.  Tiger finished the day at 1over par.

In world soccer the USA took a sound beating by Brazil in the Confederations Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.  The USA team was beaten soundly 3-0 and have proved that they are far from ready to compete in next years World Cup.  The USA is 0-2 in the Confederation Cup and things are not looking like they will get any better.

In the National Football League Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended indefinately today for driving drunk in Miami and killing a pedestrian.  It is not known if indefinately will mean forever or just until the courts are finished with him.  Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made it clear today that the future of Brent Farve in a Vikings uniform is up to Farve.  Farve announced on HBO recently that if his arm was ready the Vikings were the only team he has spoke too.  We still may see Farve come out of retirement one more time.  Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan looked pretty darn good as a rookie last year.  His teammates said he will be even better in 2009.  The Cinncinati Bengals Quarterback seems to be back to his old self.  He has not been the same since his knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the 2004 playoffs.  With all the coaching changes and player shifts this year should prove to be pretty interesting to say the least.

The action never stops in the world of sports.  The competition only gets better.  This only enhances the games that we the fans pay to enjoy.  Until we meet again remember to always be a good sport.

Sportech is a familiar name to the seasoned gambler since it happens to be one of the UK’s oldest established gaming companies, providing and facilitating football pools and online sports betting. Founded in 1923 this company enjoys a regular playing customer base of an estimated 750,000 players and a weekly jackpot of up to £3 million on its football prediction games.

Footballpools.com is a new service offered by Sportech to provide exciting and, indeed more importantly, very lucrative football prediction gaming opportunities. The two most valuable games that are available from FootballPools.com these days are Premier 10 and Footy 15. Both these games have made sensational payouts estimated up to £1.25m just since the start of the season late last summer, so you can bet that this record won’t stand there for very long. The outline of the games are relatively simple to understand and straightforward to explain. In the game Premier 10, players bet on ten Premier League matches, in a simple win, lose or draw outcome the prizes are awarded according to the category the players bet falls in at the end. In Footy 15 games, the exact same format is applied, except this time the players will bet on matches from all over the UK and Europe. The premier 10 game has rewarded and given out a huge amount of £500,000 in cash prizes. In contrast the Footy 15 has seen prizes of £850,000 dished out. These games are therefore an attractive proposition to the ardent gambler. Along with the monetary benefits there have been many non-cash prizes given away too.

However football pools isn’t your standard run of the mill gambling spot. There is more to what meets the eye when talking about this particular organization. Football pools pride itself on standing out of the crowd and most proudly do this by supporting the local community. Though not known to many football pools has given out over £1.1bn to different causes like sports, arts and charity over the past few decades. So whether you win or lose, football pools ensure that every time someone plays a percentage it goes back to the community. Perhaps the most appropriate way to look at sportstech has been described by the CEO of the company himself, who stated that the games were designed to allow football fans to have fun and test their knowledge, not to mention making some money in the process. This season they have already given out over £1.25million on their new games, which is a distinctive amount to have paid out.

Start betting on Football at SBGGlobal now!!

It’s been a close, but no cigar’ season for Michael Ballack, with no silverware to show for an impressive year. Will he get his hands on a winner’s medal at the death? Triple winners Germany are far and away the most successful nation to date in the European Championship. It’s their sixth appearance in the final, but will it be champagne or tears in Vienna?

Seize the moment!

A fluent Spain produced fast, flowing football to sail past a sinking Russia on a storm lashed evening. Despite losing talismanic striker Villa, the Furia Roja midfield axis of Fabregas and Hernandez will probe, tease and torment the Germans to distraction, but can they take the cup?
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Make that bet: Who’ll take the Henri Delaunay Trophy?

EURO 2008 The Final Odds

Germany wins 2.10
Spain wins   1.70

Make your bets Now at BetUs.com!

 For online soccer betting fans, the Spanish are the better team on paper but the Russians proved against the Netherlands that they won’t go away no matter who they face. In group play, the Spanish dominated Russia but the Russians were without Andrei Arshavin. How good is Arshavin? He pretty much single-handedly dominated the Netherlands this past weekend. His pin-point passing is second to none. He might be the best ball-handler in this tournament. After watching the joyous dismantling of free scoring Holland, it’s difficult to believe that Hiddink’s side were taken apart by Spain in their opening match. Will revenge be tasted on another hot night of Euro action? Andrei Arshavin’s return from suspension lit the Russian flame, but can he produce more football magic and reduce the Spanish challenge to ashes?

Here are the BetUS online sportsbook betting soccer odds for this match:

Spain – ½ + 105 + 105 O 2 – 130 O 1 ½ + 135

U 1 ½ – 165

Russia + ½ – 125 + 265 U 2 + 110 O ½ – 180

U ½ + 150

Draw + 230

According to the BetUS online sportsbook wagering lines above, the Spanish are a favorite in this match. They should be. They have a very solid team and are managed well by Luis Aragones. But things have changed in their game recently. I don’t know why but the Spanish haven’t been nearly as aggressive as they were in group play. Perhaps, the goal is to make it to the championship round where they will once again push the ball forward with abandon.

A penalty shoot-out win, after a dour draw in sultry Vienna, has shown Spain a chink of light at the end of a forty-four year old tunnel. Could this be the year of the Red Fury? The Spanish conquistadors defeated Russia as they took the European title way back in 1964. Can they do it again? Still, the signs are not good for the Spanish in this match. This will be Andrei Arshavin’s second game back. Again, he will probably be the most talented ball-handler on the pitch come game-time.

That makes the Russians a very good online wager to upset the Spanish at the fantastic odds of + 265. This game may not need to go into extra time. I’ll take the Russians at those unbelievably generous soccer online odds of + 265. Why not? Greece won Euro 2004. The Russians could win Euro 2008.

Checkout all Euro 2008 odds.

Quarter-Final: Netherlands – RussiaÂÂ

Going Dutch!

The Euro 2008 group of death claimed some famous victims, but the Netherlands swept through to the knock-out phase on a sea of attacking football and clinical finishing. Can it continue in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals? Van Basten fired the Dutch to a famous European victory over Russia twenty years ago, but is he about to become the first man to taste success as both player and coach?

Brothers in arms!

After using the rapier talents of Andrei Arshavin to slice apart a stodgy Sweden, Guus Hiddink is plotting the downfall of his homeland when he leads his men into quarter-final action in Basel. It’s the sternest task the Russians could have wished for, but can they pass the Dutch test?  Ready to bet: Who’ll get the first goal in Basel?

Euro 2008 online betting odds!!  Saturday 21st, 7:45pm. Money Line.

Netherlands          1.70
Russia                    5.00

Bet now at Canbet and receive 30 Euros Free!!

After removing the tag of underdog in the quarter-final against Portugal, the major tournament machine also known as Germany looks like steadily making its way to the Euro 2008 final in Vienna. Joachim Low’s side remain favourites (9/4) to take a fourth European title after a 3-2 victory in the last eight, putting them through to a semi-final against either Croatia (7/1) or Turkey (22/1).

As ever, what initially seemed an unremarkable German outfit, stuttering to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia and making hard work of Austria in the group stages, have grown in stature as the competition has reached its latter stages.

Germany manager Low, suspended from the touchline for the Portugal game following an altercation with his Austrian counterpart in Group B’s final round of fixtures, oozed satisfaction with his team’s display, saying: “We had a lot of courage, had good combinations, moved well without the ball. All the things that we’ve done well in the past we did.”

Bayern Munich’s Lukas Podolski (7/2) is in a battle with David Villa (7/2) of Spain for the Golden Boot, Villa is 9/2 to be the tournament’s top goal scorer with Spain lifting the trophy, while Podolski and Germany are 9/1 to earn the same distinction.

If Germany are to replicate their memorable win at Euro 1996, they may have to overcome the daring Dutch in the final. Holland, who are 3/1 to bring home the cup 20 years after tasting glory in 1988 – when Germany hosted the event – have been the talk of the tournament, with their exhilarating brand of fearless football claiming resounding wins over giants Italy (5/1) and France in Group C.

Holland face a Russia (12/1) side which has turned a few heads since a humbling 4-1 defeat to Spain (4/1) in their opening game. The orange army will have a tough task countering Guus Hiddink’s fleet-footed, hard-working men, who underlined their potential in the 2-0 win over Sweden.

Robin Van Persie could be worth an outside shout to make a late bid for the title of top scorer. The Arsenal forward already has two goals in the tournament and is 20/1 to end up with the most strikes.

It is around this stage in a competition that Spain, who face world champions Italy in their quarter-final, usually crumble, but a renewed optimism seems to have surged through their ranks, bred by confidence in their two dangerous frontmen – David Villa and Fernando Torres.

Spain coach Luis Aragones has expressed his contentment with the quality at his disposal going into the last eight: “I think the team is ready for this kind of match. It learned a lot at the World Cup. I’ve got 23 very good players in my squad and in the second half we played some very intelligent, very good football.”

The Italians have failed to convince thus far, but like Germany possess a knack of performing when it really matters. A sound backline could provide a passage through to Vienna, if only the forwards could hit form. Luca Toni and Cassano have failed to find the net, with Italy’s major problem being a lack of goals.
Can the German giants justify their top billing?

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Canbet: This Australian sportsbook will be offering up a chance to win 2008 Euros in commissions and will give your players a 30GBP free bet, even on the live in game betting.

Ladbrokes: Ladbrokes is offering a 10GBP free bet for the Euro 2008!

Lasseters Sportsbook: Australian Sportsbook Lasseters is holding an exciting draw for a $5000 free bet on the final match of Euro 2008.

Victor Chandler: Victor Chandler, one of the UK’s most recognized brand names is also boasting one of the hottest new player free bets of 100GBP as part of their Euro 2008 celebrations.

Unibet: They are covering the event in over 20 languages and will give your players a 20GBP free bet to try their luck.

Sixteen teams proudly represent their respective countries in this prestigious European championship. We are now down to 8 teams heading for the quarter finals!

The remaining divisions will battle it out during the entire month of June…which translates to lots of worldwide fans, plenty of time to get into the action…and lots of money to be made!

Group D: Russia – Sweden. Make your Bets Now!

Guus Hiddink knows his side can play the beautiful game, and they also showed great character as they sent the holders packing in a tense Group D showdown. Have they the will to find a way past Sweden? Russia failed to progress beyond the group stage in Portugal, but could the return of star man Arshavin from suspension bolster theirEuropean Championship hopes?

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It’s a knock-out game!

Ivica Vastic became the oldest goalscorer in finals history when he put away the last minute penalty that kept Austrian European Championship hopes alive. Will the hosts now go on to qualify from Group B? Austria’s hero won himself a lifetime supply of beer after hitting the Polish net, but will the champagne be flowing after a German collision in Vienna?

Time to regroup!

The German Euro train came off the rails in spectacular fashion as a rampaging Croatia made life difficult for Joachim Low’s squad of all the talents. A draw in Vienna will still be enough to take the one time favourites through to the quarter-finals, but can Ballack’s men hold the hosts?
 Make a bet: How far will Germany go in the Euros?

Online odds: Austria 6.50, Germany 1.38

Start betting on the Euro2008 online at BetUS.
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At the beginning of the Euro2008  football championship, Germany heads the internet betting markets on outright winners, since then things have changed.  Check more online soccer odds.

Top Spot battle in Group D!

A wonder goal from super striker Ibrahimovi helped Sweden ease by an underwhelming Greek eleven, but can the Nordic stars repeat their heroics when they face Spain in a Group D clash of the giants? The countries were drawn together in the qualifying stage with both netting a home win. Could this be third-time lucky for the Blagult as they chase the Euro title?

Sensational shooting from Villa, and a first international goal from Cesc, saw Spain cruise past a flat footed Russian defence as Group D began in soggy Innsbruck. Since they grasped the trophy in 1964, Spain have a depressing Euro record, but could those empty years be coming to an end? 

Make a bet: Can Torres edge out Villa to be top Euro scorer?