posted June 25, 2008 at 17:56 in Soccer Articles

First, let’s give credit where credit is due. Guus Hiddink, who used to manage the Netherlands and now, manages Russia, pushed all of the right buttons in the Russians’ exceptional soccer betting victory versus the Netherlands this past weekend. His team played brilliantly. They outplayed the more highly touted Netherlands’ squad in almost every facet of the game. Without a doubt, the Russians were the better team that day.

Therefore, Spain shouldn’t be considered a slam dunk in this match. For online soccer betting fans, the Spanish are the better team on paper but the Russians proved against the Netherlands that they won’t go away no matter who they face. In group play, the Spanish dominated Russia but the Russians were without Andrei Arshavin. How good is Arshavin? He pretty much single-handedly dominated the Netherlands this past weekend. His pin-point passing is second to none. He might be the best ball-handler in this tournament.

Here are the BetUS online sportsbook betting soccer odds for this match:

Spain - ½ + 105 + 105 O 2 - 130 O 1 ½ + 135

U 1 ½ - 165

Russia + ½ - 125 + 265 U 2 + 110 O ½ - 180

U ½ + 150

Draw + 230

According to the BetUS online sportsbook wagering lines above, the Spanish are a favorite in this match. They should be. They have a very solid team and are managed well by Luis Aragones.

But things have changed in their game recently. I don’t know why but the Spanish haven’t been nearly as aggressive as they were in group play. Perhaps, the goal is to make it to the championship round where they will once again push the ball forward with abandon.

Still, the signs are not good for the Spanish in this match. This will be Andrei Arshavin’s second game back. Again, he will probably be the most talented ball-handler on the pitch come game-time.

That makes the Russians a very good online wager to upset the Spanish at the fantastic BetUS odds of + 265.

My money will be on the Russians in this game. I love the fact that they are playing with confidence and have a guy like Arshavin to control things on the pitch.

This game may not need to go into extra time. I’ll take the Russians at those unbelievably generous BetUS online odds of + 265.

Why not? Greece won Euro 2004. The Russians could win Euro 2008.