FOX Sports’ digital gambling show is back this week to discuss the upcoming big games of Euro Championship (all part of the FOX family of networks).
Each team at Euro 2024 has now played a match and “Bear Bets” is back to summarize those results and look forward to Match Day 2.
To begin, Chris “Bear” Fallica And Geoff Schwartz was joined by Stu Holden to cover up the wins of the favorite team, England And Franceas well as the outstanding performances of Germany against Scotland And Spain against Croatia.
The Bear and Geoff then talk about best bets and futures.
Let’s get into action.
Going into the tournament, most people were leaning towards either France or England winning the tournament… Would England have the upper hand in their 1-0 win over Serbia?
Holden: “I think when you think about England – in my opinion, they were a little bit overvalued to begin with. The defense is not solid enough. Not good enough to win the Euro but we love the individual names.”
Is France concerned about Kylian Mbappé’s injury?
Holden: “What they have done historically in winning tournaments will gradually be brought into the tournament… With [Mbappé] With a broken nose, it is expected he will miss the match against the Netherlands potentially affecting the Golden Boot race… but it also gives them the opportunity to get some other players in… chance first goal. The French team is very large – I’m not worried about France at all.”
Have feelings about Belgium changed after losing 0-1 to Slovakia?
Holden: “From the beginning I didn’t like Belgium. I just think this Belgian team is not complete. They have a head coach for the first time in a major European championship, and in many ways you are counting on .” Romelu Lukaku to create and score goals… As far as what Belgium did, I was surprised that they lost to Slovakia but I think it’s more a reflection that I don’t see this as a team that has progressed past the quarter-finals.
What was the most dominant performance in the first half?
Bear: “You can make a very good case for Germany… Personally, I think Spain are the most impressive team because Croatia have some world-class players over there. What they did when they went out and dominated Croatia in that first match – I thought was extremely impressive. I think maybe people are sleeping on Spain a bit.”
Holden: “I think I was most impressed with Germany in the first match. Spain… let’s not get completely carried away by the fact that they won that match 3-0. Croatia had a lot of opportunities and didn’t take advantage of them… I think you will see a comeback from Croatia. I still like them in the quarterfinals of this tournament. As for Germany, if you put them ahead of the tournament you would feel pretty good.”
More impressed by Germany or disappointed by Scotland?
Holden: “Scotland are horrible! Scotland, you’ve let me down! And, perhaps Germany were a little too flattering. But, if you’re thinking about a team as the host nation with the pressure on – and you’re a bit worried worry about Germany being eliminated in the group stage in the last two World Cups – this is a team where almost every attacking player scored… A guy was just called up two days before scoring… they should fly to match 2, and I will feel quite happy if Germany at least gets to the semi-finals.”
Is there a player or team whose opinion has changed the most, for better or worse, in the first four days?
Holden: “Lukaku, I’m really disappointed… I thought he could have been chosen for the Golden Boot because I felt that Belgium had a pretty easy group that they would get through… I’m disappointed with Harry Kane to be honest, with England. I felt he only touched the ball twice in the first half of that game, and at times he took the ball too far away. Now you’ve heard some comments from him after the match. He is actually saying that Gareth Southgate asked him to stay higher and occupy the three centre-backs to make room for other players. You wouldn’t want to hear that if you had Harry Kane for the Golden Boot!”
Bear: “The teams we predicted to be bottom of the group – Romania, Slovenia, Georgia, Albania – all came out and played a great first game. They all had a legitimate chance of getting a result. It wasn’t They all did it. But, that just goes to show you the depth of this league that even the teams that you would expect to be ‘top of the table’… the team that is at the bottom are amazing.”
Here are Bear’s best bets for Game Day 2 (all times ET).
Croatia compare to Albania, Wednesdays 9 a.m. ET, FS1 and the FOX Sports App
Bear: “I think Croatia will look to solve some of their defensive problems in the first match against Spain.”
PICK: Albania and Croatia have less than 2.5 goals scored (-120)
Spain compare to Italy, 3 p.m. ET Thursday, FOX App and FOX Sports
Bear: “I think Spain were the most impressive team of the tournament. Italy, although they came back well to beat Albania, they still had some problems at the back.”
PICK: Spain beats Italy (+115)
Poland compare to Shirt, 12pm ET Friday, FS1 and FOX Sports App
Bear: “Poland played better than I thought in that first game, but they didn’t really threaten much after getting that first goal. I think Austria probably deserved a little better fate in their first match against France.”
SELECT: Austria and Poland have less than 2.5 goals scored
Bear also prefers one country’s title futures over the rest and also has a few tickets for the Golden Boot.
THE FUTURE OF GOLDEN SHOES
Yamal plastic sheet: +4500
Jamal Musiala: +2800
Romelu Lukaku: +1200
“The fact that there are no big guys scoring – Ronaldo, Kane, Mbappé, whoever – that opens the door for one of the higher priced players. [names].”
FUTURE PHASE GROUP
Belgium Group E champion (+280)
Finally, after the previous shocking defeat SlovakiaBear likes Belgium to recover and win his group at +280. He did not overreact to their initial loss and still believes they are the most talented team in Group E.
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