News | Soccer (4)

WEEKEND SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS: 14 - 16 June

FABULOUS FOOTBALL AHEAD AS EURO 2024 KICKS OFF Soccer fans can look forward to a glorious month as the drama of EURO 2024 unfolds. All the matches will be included in selected TAB soccer bets and there will be many added pools, which will enhance TAB soccer customers’ chances of landing big wins. The show kicks off tonight with a guaranteed R8-million Soccer 13 pool and a R150,000-added Soccer 10 - plus this is your last chance to play one of TAB’s four bets on the overall tournament. The four pools all carry R20,000 add-ins from TAB and close at the start of tonight’s tournament opener between Germany and Scotland. ENGLAND ARE FAVOURITES BUT HAVE CHINKS IN THEIR ARMOUR A feast of football awaits soccer fans over the next month as Germany play host to EURO 2024. Twenty-four countries will battle for the right to be crowned the best on the continent, with a winner notoriously hard to pick in a tournament that often throws up surprises. Who could have possibly predicted, for example, that Greece would win the tournament in Portugal in 2004 or, to a slightly lesser extent, that Portugal would go all the way in France in 2016? Italy will go in as the reigning champions, after breaking England hearts at Wembley on penalties four years ago. They may not have the superstar names of other nations, but the Azzuri are a notoriously good tournament team, and a third title is far from out of the question. Germany have home advantage and a strong squad, but have been poor in major tournaments in recent years, exiting in the group stages of the last two FIFA World Cups and in the last 16 of EURO 2020. England, who beat Germany in that last-16 match four years ago, are many people's favourites and currently head the fixed-odds betting on the tournament. On paper they have an attack that looks full of creativity and goals, but Gareth Southgate's side limp into the finals off a friendly defeat at home to Iceland. And, let’s face it, England have too often flattered only to deceive. France have reached the last two World Cup finals and have a squad overflowing with talent in all areas of the pitch. Kylian Mbappe, the best attacker in the world, can rip defences to shreds on his own. It is Les Bleus perhaps, that should head betting boards for this tournament. Spain, winners of back-to-back Euros in 2008 and 2012, continue to have a side capable of beating anyone on their day, with a passing brand of football that starves you of possession to the point of exhaustion, as was also the case when they won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands will hope to be a force again in a major tournament under Ronald Koeman, with Virgil Van Dijk leading from the back. Belgium's golden generation has few survivors, but the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku still remain, and they go into the game having not lost a match under Dominic Tesdesco. Roberto Martinez's Portugal have a fantastic squad, including the still-going Cristiano Ronaldo, and won all 10 qualifying matches. They have, however, lost friendlies since then to Slovenia and Croatia, both of whom will also be at EURO 2024. Croatia, who reached the World Cup final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022, are another side that could well pose a threat in Germany, with the irrepressible Luka Modric still making their midfield tick. This is a European nation that often punches above its weight though they have, surprisingly, never won a knockout match at a European Championship. Whoever wins, it should be a month of magical football. The competition starts this evening when Germany face Scotland at the Allianz Arena. Germany are 3-10 favourites to win with the draw at 5-1 and Scotland at 11-1. The betting says it all and Germany to win looks a natural banker in tonight’s Soccer 10. LATEST FIXED-ODDS BETTING ON EURO 2024: 7-2 England; 4-1 France; 11-2 Germany; 13-2 Portugal; 8-1 Spain; 14-1 Italy; 16-1 Netherlands, Belgium; 40-1 Croatia, Denmark; 66-1 and upwards others. * The four TAB bets on EURO 2024 are listed below and our soccer expert’s tips. Remember the four pools close tonight. WIN bet – choose the country to win EURO 2024 PLACE bet – choose one of the four semi-finalists EXACTA – choose the two finalists QUARTET – choose the four semi-finalists TIPS: WIN: France EXACTA: France, Germany QUARTET: France, Italy, England, Germany PLACE: Belgium

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