Bookies expect record betting on Euro2008

Despite the depressing fact that no British team will be playing in the Euro2008 finals this year, all having been eliminated in the qualifying rounds, bookmakers are expecting record levels of betting on the championship.

The European championship will take place this year in Austria and Switzerland.  Ladbrokes is predicting punters to bet a record £350 million on the games.  They put the phenomenal increase in betting down to a boom in online betting.

There’s no betting on England, but UK footie fans have picked other sides to back.  Favorites are Germany at 4/1, Spain at 5/1, Italy and Portugal both at 7/1.

For a long shot, host country Austria has 100/1 odds and Poland and Romania lag behind at 40/1.  Other teams in with a sporting chance are Holland and Croatia, both at 12/1 and the Czech Republic at 16/1 odds.

Several British newspapers have been running discussion of which teams Brits should support during the month long Euro 2008, with likely contenders being Holland, Romania, Germany and Spain.

Who’s your money on?