EXCLUSIVE OFFER: First 10 to join Bet365 and make a deposit of £100 will be entitled to a brand new Nokia N95

EURO2008 ANTE-POST BETTING OUTRIGHT

Can we but hope and pray that justice prevails in Europe for a change and the best side in Europe at the moment finally gets the recognition it deserves?
Step forward second favourites Spain (6.5 at Bet365) who are yet to win a single senior tournament (we're discounting the 1964 two-team tournament), despite a wealth of talent.
Previously, the Spanish have put their lack of success down to infighting among the different regional cliques. That appeared to be a thing of the past for the 2006 World Cup, but up stepped a rather sullen Raul, who swept through the squad like a plague after being consigned to the bench.
No Raul this time, which is a relief for a Spanish nation quietly crossing its fingers. You can hardly call the nation confident a popular anthem sweeping the nation incites the side to "get beyond the quarters".
One advantage this new side has is that for the first time Spain has players playing abroad. The likes of Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Cesc Fabregas will offer the squad a knowledge that has been lacking in the past.

If the Spanish leave us early there are a few teams waiting in the wings to swoop to the title and not surprisingly Germany (4.5 at Bet365) are favourites among them.
It is not so much their form on the pitch that has made them everyone's likely winner, but their history in the competition and some incredible luck in the draw.
While Spain are in the side of the draw that Holland (13.0 at Bet365), France, Italy, Russia and the holders Greece, three-times winners Germany could get to the final without facing a European powerhouse.
However, coach Joachim Low has played down Germany's chances but where have we heard that before? You don't win the European title three times without being permanently strong.

Three other teams are being touted for the title, but I can make cases for each one of them. Portugal (8.5 at Bet 365) lost out to Greece in the final in 2004, and many believe that they are stronger now on the back of Ronaldo's stellar form.
But they lack a backbone and have failed to prove themselves in big games, which may let them down before a likely semi-final against Germany.

France (8.5 at Bet365) and Italy (7.0 at Bet365) are natural favourites after making up the World Cup final two years ago, but both will struggle to get out of the group of death. And both have injury problems, too.

Will there be another Greece (or Denmark even)? Well it's possible.
Greece (34.0 at Bet365) will struggle to keep their title, it's unrealistic to believe that they will be the first team to hold the European title.

Previous winners Russia (26.0 at Bet365) are a tight, young unit, with plenty of firepower up front and could surprise a few people from the weaker half of the draw.

Many are looking towards Croatia (15.0 at Bet365) and the Czech Republic (21.0 at Bet365) for an outside win, but both have too many problems up front (Croatia without Eduardo Da Silva, the Czechs relying on the ageing Jan Koller).

Watch out for Poland (51.0 at Bet365) who, if they can replicate their stunning group success (they beat Portugal and finished top).
VERDICT: 3pts Spain to win tournament (6.5 at Bet365)
VERDICT: 0.5pts each-way* Russia to win tournament (26.0 at Bet365)
VERDICT: 0.5pts each-way* Poland to win tournament (51.0 at Bet365)

*=1/2 odds for reaching the final

TO A SINGLE STAKE (based on £10 a point) (2 x £10 singles; 1 x £30 single)
Total Stake: £50
Max Return: £325


POINT SYSTEM EXPLAINED
Because some games are better picks than others I am going to be using a tried and tested points method to ensure we get the maximum profit from our selections.
The way to use it is simple: just pick a staking plan that suits your pocket (ie. Anything from £1 up to £100 a point and stick to the point plan).
If a selection is marked "1pt" and your staking plan is £1, put a £1 on the selection. Likewise, if your staking plan is £100 a point, stick £300 on a 3pt selection - it really is that simply.

What it means is that you can benefit from knowing exactly how strongly a selection is fancied - 1pt selections will be reasonably regularly, but the more strongly fancied selections (5-10pts) will be very rare indeed!

I will be running a tally myself, which will be based on a £10 a point plan.

Good luck.