U21 final pairs Germany and Spain
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Glimpse of the future? It’s the same old story
The U21 European Championships is billed as a chance for followers of the beautiful game to get a snapshot of how the future of international football is shaping up, but Friday’s final has an all too familiar look about it.
Germany’s reward for beating England on penalties – we’ll try not to mention that often – is a decider against Spain. Who is your money on? Coral mark the occasion with a list of exciting betting markets, including match winner, both teams to score and total goals. Spice up the action with a bet.
Red Fury are hot favourites
Spain were rather more convincing in Tuesday’s semi-finals, thrashing Italy 3-1 to progress, while Germany snuck through from the spot. That holds plenty of weight with our traders, and they have moved to price a Spanish win in normal time up as red-hot favourite. Not only are they expected to get the desired result on Friday, they’re expected to do it with plenty to spare.
Italy shot themselves in the foot, Gagliardini send off before the hour mark for a second bookable offence. It cost his side dear and Spain, who were leading 1-0 at the time, opened-up and quickly finished the contest off. A jaw-dropping hat-trick from Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez stole the show, and although it was very much a team effort, there was one name on the lips of fans at full-time, and it was that of the midfielder.
Will Niguez do it again?
Our football team don’t hold much hope of him repeating the feat in the final however, and there’s a tempting 15/2 available with Coral on Niguez to score the first goal of the match, or 5/2 anytime. The play that may just be worth a handful of loose change is another hat-trick, that outcome will net you a gorgeous 100/1, and we wouldn’t put anyone off an interest, especially with the player going in full of confidence.
Punters looking to keep it simple will find a Spanish win nailed on at 17/20, and judging by the price, it’ll be a case of just how well they do it. That’s hardly a surprise either, as they finished the group stage of the competition with a 100 per cent record. Spain have been impressive on their route to the final too, hammering Macedonia 5-0, Portugal 3-1, and then that 3-1 mauling of Italy. That run would suggest -1 on the handicap is worth a play, and that’ll earn you 11/5.
Plenty to like about the German price
Germany have been written off, but perhaps a bit too readily. Granted, there was times in the England game when the young Three Lions side threatened to run away with it, and were leading 2-1 for a period, but Germany did score first, battled for an equaliser, and would’ve been disappointed to go to penalties. They were the better side for much of the game, and had chances to kill it off at the end.
Critics may say an extended match in midweek would’ve taken it out of their legs, but no one in the German side will need any motivation here, this is a chance to go and make a name for themselves and the underdog tag will sit well with them. Any tired legs are easily forgotten for 90 minutes. They’ve had no problems scoring goals so far, and will fancy their chances of doing so again. Both teams to score is a 7/10 play, while the German upset goes at 16/5. There’s plenty to like about that.
