LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Jun 27 (MARKET WIRE) —
What is it with Franz Beckenbauer? Does the legendary German player and
coach still harbour a grudge against England for 1966? Firstly he said
the team had gone backwards under Fabio Capello and resorted to the bad
old days of ‘kick and rush’ and now he is claiming that the England
players look jaded and burnt-out because of the demands of the Premier
League – is Franz getting a little jittery?
Capello owes ‘The Kaiser’ a debt of gratitude for, if he needed any
inspiration for his pre-match team talk ahead of England’s clash with the
Germans in Bloemfontein, Beckenbauer has just provided the majority of
the content. There are just signs that Capello’s normally dictatorial
style of management may have mellowed a little while England have been in
South Africa.
Six months ago it would have been unheard of for the Italian to allow his
players to have a beer on the eve of a match and contemporaries claim it
was also most un-Capello like to see the coach run on to the field at the
final whistle against Slovenia and embrace his players. Maybe that was
sparked by the relief of knowing that his GBP 6million-a-year FA contract
was still relatively secure.
There is still a general consensus that England need to improve further
if they are to eliminate a fresh, new-look Germany but both teams have
been priced up at 10/1 to win the tournament by Paddy Power, who have the
winner’s likely quarter-final opponents Argentina at 9/2. The England
betting odds have lengthened since the start of the tournament on June 11.
With Wayne Rooney still awaiting his first goal at the World Cup, the
Manchester United star’s football betting odds are out to 40/1 to finish
as the tournament’s leading scorer, the same odds as England’s hero
against Slovenia, Jermaine Defoe. Germany’s Lukas Podolski and Miroslav
Klose, who also have one goal to their name so far, are at the same price.
Only twice in their history have Germany failed to make it to the quarter
finals of the World Cup. The last time was in 1978 as West Germany,
eliminated at the second group stage when they finished behind the
Netherlands and Italy. England failed to qualify for Argentina 78. In
four previous World Cup meetings, both nations have won 1 game with the
other 2 resulting in a draw. The most recent was in 1990 when Bobby
Robson’s side went out on penalties.
About Paddy Power
Paddy Power is Ireland’s biggest and most successful bookmaker.
Founded in 1988 by the merger of three existing Irish high street
bookmakers, Paddy Power takes an unconventional approach to betting and
gaming believing them to be firmly rooted in the leisure and
entertainment space.
As such its mission is to make ‘risk-based entertainment’ more accessible
and fun. It offers customers an unparalleled betting experience that is
great value; great fun and has the best service.
Through this strategy the company has developed a strong reputation as
“The Punter Friendly Bookmaker” and has become renowned for its
unique “Money Back Specials”.
Contacts:
Paddy Power
Carole Paul
0751-6490734
partners@paddypower.com
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