Euro 2008 Soccer
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This summer one of Europe's finest soccer tournaments takes the world stage. If you've caught any of the current UEFA Champions League coverage on ESPN2, then you've already seen the best club teams throughout Europe. However, Euro 2008 soccer encompasses national team success, just like we saw in 2006's World Cup. Sixteen of the best nations qualified and are set to make a run towards the coveted title as 'Europe's best soccer country.'
This tournament is held every four years, just like the World Cup, but the UEFA European Football Championships runs two years prior. In 2004, Greece shocked the world by upsetting defending champions France in the quarterfinals, heavily favored Czech Republic in the semis and then Portugal in the final for a magical run through the tournament.
Greece is again one of the 16 nations in this year's event. They were among 14 qualifiers, while countries Austria and Switzerland automatically gained berths for hosting the three-week tournament. World soccer powers Germany, Italy, Spain and France are just several of the top nations involved, while England's shocking omission and failure to qualify was without doubt the most puzzling to witness this past fall.
Doc's Sports will have full coverage of this event, just as we did in the summer of 2006 for the World Cup. During the month long tournament back in 2006, we hit winners at a 71 percent clip, cashing our Tournament Game of the Year behind eventual champions Italy and banked dime bettors $18,200 in the process.
For more general information on Euro 2008, visit the official site here: Euro2008.com.
Here are some of our main pages for the Euro 2008 Soccer Tournament:
2008 Euro Soccer Odds
2008 Euro Soccer Picks
2008 Euro Soccer Predictions
Here's a breakdown of our preview leading up to June's tournament. We will carry our full coverage of Euro 2008, and by visiting and returning you can stay on top of our preview and headlining of this event.
Group A
Switzerland team preview
Czech Republic team preview
Portugal team preview
Turkey team preview
Group B
Austria team preview
Croatia team preview
Germany team preview
Poland team preview
Group C
Netherlands team preview
Italy team preview
Romania team preview
France team preview
Group D
Greece team preview
Sweden team preview
Spain team preview
Russian team preview
Once our team previews section is finished, we will have daily articles leading up to the tournament and likely every day of the event throughout the month of June with information, opinion and overall analysis of Euro 2008 Soccer.
Euro Final Four Preview
by Trevor Whenham - 06/24/2008
The action so far at Euro 2008 has been spectacular, and it doesn't show any signs of letting up. It always makes for a good tournament when the unpredictable becomes the norm, and that is certainly the case here. Of the semi-finalists, Spain was expected, and Germany's win over Portugal made sense given their overall form if not based on what had happened leading into the tournament. On the other hand, Turkey's win over Croatia certainly qualifies as unlikely, and Russia beating the Netherlands as badly as they did was so bizarre that it doesn't yet seem real.
Read more about Euro Final Four.
Final Eight Euro Power Rankings
by Trevor Whenham - 06/18/2008
Half of the teams that made the European Soccer Championships, known as Euro 2008, have been sent packing. We're now down to the elimination rounds, and this is where things get interesting. Here's a look at the eight remaining teams ranked in order of their play so far:
Read more about Euro Power Rankings.
What Have We Learned From the Euro So Far?
by Trevor Whenham - 06/10/2008
We're only a few days into Euro 2008, and there's still a mind-numbing amount of soccer to be played, but already we have seen some very interesting action. Succeeding at the betting windows in a tournament like this requires you not only to have a good sense of the teams and your expectations coming into the tournament. You also have to constantly adjust and amend those expectations as the tournament proceeds so that you are betting on what is actually happening, not what is supposed to happen. With that in mind, here are seven things we have learned so far from what we have seen in Austria and Switzerland.
Read more about Euro Lessons.
Betting Euro 2008 for Soccer Newbies
by Trevor Whenham - 06/05/2008
Euro 2008 gets under way this weekend. Outside of the World Cup, this tournament, which takes place every four years, is the biggest and most important soccer tournament in the world. If you are a North American sports bettor then chances are pretty good that you don't spend much time, effort or money betting on soccer. That's understandable, but this is one of those times when you really should. The structure of the tournament and the amount of attention the world will be paying to it means that betting opportunities abound. Bodog and several other books have not only lines on all of the games available, but also dozens of props on the action.
Read more about Euro Soccer Primer.
2008 Euro Soccer Value Bets
by Trevor Whenham - 06/05/2008
With Euro 2008 finally just around the corner, and the favorites firmly established, now is as good a time as any to take a look to see which of the longshots could be worth a closer look. This is a great tournament to look for upsets. Last time around in 2004 no one was expecting Greece to make it to the final, or out of the first round for that matter. They ended up winning the whole thing, and they even knocked out the heavily-favored French to get there. On the other hand, everyone would have guessed that Germany, Italy and Spain would have been key players in the elimination round, but none of them made it that far.
Read more about Euro Soccer Value Bets.
2008 Spain Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/29/2008
In 1964 the Spanish captured Euro glory, but 44 years later it still stands as the only major football trophy in the country's history. And that's the knock on Spain, as they are the classic underachievers who have always managed to flop out when the world has its eyes locked on them.
Read more about 2008 Spain Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Russia Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/29/2008
The leap that Russian soccer has made since bringing on manager Guus Hiddink has been remarkable since his takeover as head man in 2006. Previously he had helped his home nation Netherlands reach the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup, not to mention a wonderful job getting Australia into the second round of the 2006 World Cup. His resume is also boosted by stints as manager for seven different club teams over the last 20 years.
Read more about 2008 Russia Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Sweden Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/28/2008
As a very dangerous team that you wouldn't normally associate as being a world football power, the Swedes will be no easy out this summer. Not to dumb down their style of football, but Sweden is almost a Denver Nuggets-type of squad: Lethal scoring, almost to the point where they emphasize their attacking too much and forget about the necessity of defense.
Read more about 2008 Sweden Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Greece Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/27/2008
By now it should be no secret of Greece's triumph during Euro 2004. They shocked the world and the entire field when they captured the title as European's best.
Read more about 2008 Greece Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 France Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/22/2008
Les Bleus are no stranger to success in world soccer. World Cup winners in 1998 and Euro 2000 champions, France became the first football nation to hold both trophies since former West Germany in 1974.
Read more about 2008 France Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Romania Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/22/2008
The Group of Death has somewhat of a newcomer to the European Championships. Romania has taken part in this continental tournament three times prior, with the country's most recent visit its most successful. Participating in 1984 and 1996 were short-lived, however Euro 2000 witnessed the Tricolorii advance to the quarterfinals. Romania failed to qualify in 2004, but this June they bring one of their stronger squads in recent memory to Austria and Switzerland.
Read more about 2008 Romania Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Euro Value Bets
by Trevor Whenham - 05/21/2008
Euro 2008, the world's second most important soccer tournament after the World Cup, is just about two weeks away. We'll have lots of time to look at specific games as it gets closer, but we can use this time now to look at potential value spots. With 16 teams playing in four groups of four, and with such a staggering amount of depth and talent, there will inevitably be teams that don't get the respect from bettors that they deserve. That means value, and value is a bettor's best friend.
Read more about 2008 Euro Value Bets.
Euro Soccer 2008 Schedule
Doc’s Sports is your one-stop shop for an all-access pass to UEFA Euro 2008. This tournament takes place during the month of June and features 16 of the strongest teams in the world. The teams are divided into four groups with the top two teams in each division moving onto the championship round. The entire tournament will be held at various sites in Austria and Switzerland. The championship match will be held on June 29th, at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria.
Read more about Euro Soccer 2008 Schedule.
2008 Italy Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/12/2008
Last time we saw the Azzurri in action they were hoisting the 2006 World Cup trophy in Berlin. Italy captured world football's greatest title, glory over France for the fourth time in the country's history.
Read more about 2008 Italy Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Netherlands Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/07/2008
Euro 2008's so called 'Group of Death' begins with Holland. The Dutch are a very intriguing team in this tournament, and a true sleeper to make some real noise this summer. Manager Marco van Basten, the former footballer of the year and Holland striker, has coached his country since 2004, but has made his intentions clear off stepping down when his contract expires after the tournament.
Read more about 2008 Netherlands Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Poland Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/05/2008
Two football nations make their European Championship debut this summer, and both will face-off in Group B. Besides co-hosts Austria, Bialo-czerwoni look to make amends for the team's disappointing performance in the 2006 World Cup. And a showing this summer can go a long way, as Poland with co-host Euro 2012 with Ukraine.
Read more about 2008 Poland Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Germany Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 05/02/2008
Germany enters Euro 2008 as one of the strongest current football powers in not only Europe but also the world. In 2006 during the World Cup they had the luxury of playing as hosts and getting a big boost from their home fans. Die Nationalelf left its mark on the qualifying process, scoring a remarkable 35 goals including a historical 13-0 victory away to San Marino.
Read more about 2008 Germany Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Croatia Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/29/2008
It's no secret Group B is all about Germany. The heavy group favorites might very well sit atop the table a week, but it'd be silly not to strongly consider this rising Croatia team. The Vatreni were Group E winners in qualifying, five points clear of Russia in second place.
Read more about 2008 Croatia Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Austria Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/25/2008
The other team to co-host this illustrious event is probably the most unknown of all the soccer nations competing in Euro 2008. Austria has never qualified for the European Championships, however they gained automatic entry by playing host with Switzerland this summer.
Read more about 2008 Austria Euro Soccer Preview.
2008 Turkey Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/21/2008
The 'Crescent-Stars' are probably the least publicized team in Group A. Clumped in with world football powers Czech Republic and Portugal, as well as home side Switzerland, it's easy for Turkey to mentally install themselves as the true underdogs to open Euro 2008.
Read more about 2008 Turkey Euro Preview.
2008 Portugal Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/17/2008
Portuguese football climbed quickly the instant they hired manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazilian that guided his country to capture the 2002 World Cup trophy. After coming onboard in 2003, he led his new side into Euro 2004, an event they hosted. This tournament went well for the Selecção das Quinas, however they lost in the final to underdog and surprise Greece.
Read more about 2008 Portugal Euro Preview.
2008 Switzerland Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/17/2008
Looking to improve on its advancement into the elimination round of the 2006 World Cup, Switzerland knows Euro 2008 is the perfect platform to establish itself on one of European football's largest stages. And if they learned anything else from their time in Germany two summers ago, the host country has a raw opportunity to excite its home supporters and generate some success. Germany did well in the 2006 World Cup with its third place finish. While the Swiss co-host Euro 2008 with neighboring country Austria, it's known far and wide that the 'Nati' are the stronger nation with a legit chance for good play this June.
Read more about 2008 Switzerland Euro Preview.
2008 Czech Republic Euro Soccer Preview
by Doc's Sports - 04/17/2008
Soaring to No. 6 in the current April FIFA world rankings, this summer is the perfect opportunity for the Czech Republic to make a name for itself as one of the strongest soccer countries in the world. The Czechs suffered a very disappointing result in the 2006 World Cup. They failed to advance to the elimination round, as sleeper Ghana defeated them head-to-head in group play and moved forward with eventual-champion Italy.
Read more about 2008 Czech Republic Euro Preview.
2008 Euro Soccer Predictions
by Doc's Sports - 04/17/2008
Attempting to forecast a major soccer event this far in advance is arguably tougher than any major sport. The reason for this is the majority of players are still in heated competitions in all sorts, such as their respective domestic leagues, UEFA Champions League and international friendly matches. You also add on top of that the grueling amount of wear and tear that players must deal with throughout the course of training and match play, it's always tough to decipher which teams and players are truly fit for a month long run at this summer's Euro 2008.
Read more about 2008 Euro Soccer Predictions.