Saturday, July 08, 2006

Italy / France World Cup Final Has Bodog.com Bettors Scratching their Heads

And me too. Got a winner last night (baseball), but I just can't bet on tomorrow's World Cup final... I'm rooting for Italy, but there is no way that I can put action on either side. If you do, good luck!

See the BoDog article below:

After one month of scintillating soccer action, millions of soccer fans around the world will be tuning in to Sunday's FIFA World Cup final to see which team will be crowned champion. Online gaming giant Bodog.com has posted the odds.

France will take on Italy in what promises to be a fantastic affair. Les Bleus last hoisted the World Cup Trophy in 1998; the Azzurri last captured the honors in 1982. Ironically, the two nations recently competed for hardware on the continental stage, as France knocked off Italy 2-1 in an extra-time thriller at the 2000 European Championships. Sunday's World Cup final promises to be an equally engaging match.

"This year's World Cup action has exceeded our wildest expectations," says Calvin Ayre, Founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "We saw some heavy betting on the quarterfinals, semifinals, and we expect this trend to continue as we roll into this weekend's finals. With the style, passion and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout all of these games, it is easy to see why this tournament is one of the most exciting sports spectacles in the world."

A France-Italy finale was a far-fetched notion at the commencement of the World Cup. Right before the tournament kicked off on June 9th, Bodog.com bookmakers had listed the French and Italians to wín the World Cup at 13/1 odds and 15/2 odds, respectively.

Both teams have, however, earned their place in the final. The Italians have been remarkably consistent throughout the tournament and France rallied after a mediocre start. Special attention will be paid to French captain Zinedine Zidane, who is set to retire from football at the end of the tournament.

With a massive North American fan base watching live, Bodog.com has posted its odds for the final match between France and Italy:

France +200
Italy +150
Draw +180

For bettors looking to wager on Saturday's game with Portugal taking on the home team Germany, Bodog.com has posted the odds. FIFA World Cup, Germany 2006 - Third Place:

Portugal +380
Germany -143
Draw +245