UEFA Under 21 Football Championship
We are on to the business end of the 2009 UEFA European Under 21 Football Championship. The tournament is hosted in Sweden this year and started with 52 nations competing for the coveted prize. Many of the game’s youngest stars are on the world stage with the cut off date being January 1st 1986 for eligibility.
So far this competition, has produced plenty of goals, with the final eight teams being split into two groups. Group A consisted of Italy, Sweden, Serbia and Belarus, with Group B consisting of England, German, Spain and Finland. Group A has produced much more exciting, attacking football where the top two finishers Italy and Sweden, have taken 81% more shots, 58% more shots on target and score almost 62% more goals than England and Germany.
Two conclusions can be derived from this, either Italy and Sweden have been lucky enough to take on relatively weaker defense in their group, or they have just been shooting really well. Italy has been taking plenty of shots but they have only managed to convert their shots into four goals. This gives them only an 18% conversion rate compared to Germanys 27% and England’s 38%.
The matchups for the semifinals stands to be England versus Sweden and Italy versus Germany. England is the clear favourite against Sweden, where as the second game is a very difficult game to pick. Italy can try to out attack and out pass their German rivals, yet Germany are a very well rehearsed unit. This game has the book makers fairly even Italy the slight favourite and Germany good value if you like their style.
With four teams left in the tournament, picking the dark horse teams to win the tournament will prove a very good bet if you feel one of the underdogs can win their semi final clash. Pick with your brain over your heart.
