With 13 countries having qualified from UEFA, six nations are seen to be merely making up the numbers with no realistic chance of winning the tournament.
There's usually at least one unheralded side who sneaks into the latter stages though, as a very ordinary Ukraine did in Germany four years ago - although Bulgaria and Sweden in 1994, Croatia in '98 and Turkey in 2002 would argue that case.
In terms of bookmakers' odds, Serbia are seen as the strongest of the six countries who make up 'the rest of Europe' - the others being shock Euro 2004 winners Greece, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland. The Serbs, who should include Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic in their defence, are 80-1 with Bet365, 33-1 (Bet Fred) to make the final - and the same odds (Sky Bet) to be the top European team in the tournament.
In a group alongside Germany, Australia and Ghana, the Serbs are 5-6 (Boylesports) to bow out early - as they did in their guise as Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. Odds of 2-1 (Tote Sport) are offered on defeat to likely opponents England, USA or Slovenia in round two. Any further progress yields a price of 6-1 (Tote Sport) on a last eight exit, and 20-1 (Tote Sport and Boylesports) on semi-final woe.
Greece (Boylesports and William Hill) and Denmark (Expekt.com) are available at 150-1 for overall success, with the Greeks 40-1 with Bet Fred to make the final and the Danes shorter at 33s (Sky Bet and Bet Fred). The former are also 66s (Tote Sport) to be top European team, the latter 40s (Sky Bet and Tote Sport).
Similarly unlikely bets involving the two countries include Greece to land the World Cup and Celtic striker Georgios Samaras to be tournament top scorer (3000-1); a Denmark win and top scorer to be veteran Jon Dahl Tomasson (1200-1) - or Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner (2000-1) - all being offered by Sky Bet.
Otto Rehhagel's Greece have again been paired with Argentina and Nigeria in their group, as they were in 1994 - their only other finals appearance. Then they lost 4-0 and 2-0 respectively whilst also losing 4-0 to Bulgaria, one of the worst records in finals history. This time they are far better equipped to improve on that showing, though they could still find it difficult to get through, with the group also including South Korea, semi-finalists in 2002. William Hill are offering 1-2 on a first-round exit, 2-1 on last 16 defeat (France, South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay are potential opponents) and 8-1 on a quarter-final loss.
Denmark have always got beyond the group phase in their three previous finals and having been paired with Holland, Japan and Cameroon, are capable of a second-round spot again. Elimination at the last 16 stage (likely to be against Italy) is a 2-1 chance with Tote Sport and Boylesports.
A repeat of their best-ever performance, the quarter-finals in 1998, is a 13-2 chance (Tote Sport) with 25-1 offered for a last-four defeat (Boylesports and Tote Sport) - and 4-6 on a group phase exit (Boylesports).
Switzerland are 200-1 (Bet Fred and William Hill), with Slovenia (Bet Fred, Coral and Expekt.com) and Slovakia (five firms including Sky Bet, Coral and William Hill) the outsiders at 250-1 for overall glory. The Swiss are 75-1 to make the final (Sky Bet and Tote Sport), 100-1 to be the top European team (Sky Bet) and 2-1 to be eliminated in the second round. Potential qualification from their group of Spain, Chile and Honduras would involve a potential match against one of Brazil, Portugal or Ivory Coast.
Slovenia are a 100-1 chance (Sky Bet) to be finalists and 125-1 (same firm) to be top European representatives. Sky Bet also rate Slovakia as outsiders in terms of their ability to make a July 11 final appearance (125-1), and to be top European performers (150-1).
Despite this, they look capable of getting to the last eight based on their group of Italy, Parguay and New Zealand - and avoidance of Holland in round two (subsequent opposition would be either Denmark, Cameroon or Japan should this prove the case). Boylesports are offering last 16 elimination at 15-8, 10-1 on the quarter-finals or 4-9 on a first-round exit.
Recommendations
Denmark to be knocked out at the last 16 stage, 2-1 Tote Sport and Boylesports
Greece to be knocked out in the group phase, 1-2 William Hill
|
