Euro 2008 - June 12

It is with profound disbelief that Schlitz beer recaps the first two days of Buffet picks. It was a disappointing 50% effort that is unacceptable to the betting public and the Hotline. A late goal by Turkey ruined a wonderful parlay and turned a joyous celebration into an evening stuck watching "So you think you can dance".

But have no fear...more games are near.

Germany v. Croatia recap:

Leave it to the Germans to fail to close out a group of opponents when they had them in their grasp - or pressed up against an ocean. Some might call it the "Extreme Ops" dilemma: "I'm German, I'm always nervous". A Croatia team that lacked the talent of the German team on paper thoroughly outplayed them. Croatia has heart. Germany has bratwurst. As such, the Germans always seemed a little slower to the ball.

A 2-1 loss to Croatia turns the group on its head with Croatia now the leader with 6 points out of a possible 6 and Germany stuck on 3. Luckily for the Germans, Austria and Poland are not much to worry about, and they are both stuck on a point apiece.

Austria v. Poland recap:

The Hotline was correct in picking a tie and the under in this matchup - although it ended up being 1-1 instead of 0-0, the result is the same for our betting purposes. The game was less dreadful than predicted, but both teams are clearly at the bottom of the group. The main excitement from the match was who would capitalize on the offer from an Austrian beer brewry to receive "beer for life" if they were the first Austrian goal scorer. It took extra time and a dubious penalty kick decision by the referee, but Ivica Vastic, the oldest man in the tournament stepped to the spot and claimed a tie for the Austrians and beer for himself all in one confident strike.

SCHLITZ BEER PRESENTS:

Friday, June 13:

Italy v. Romania

• The Italians did not plan on this game being a must-win, but it is. They don't want to go into their final match with the French without 3 points in their back pocket. The trouble for the Italians is that they have never been known for scoring prowess and Romania has shown an ability to clog up the middle and play for a tie.


• The handicappers in the Principality of Monaco have made Italy a strong favorite, as they should be, but the money to be made in this matchup is surely the under. Where available the Hotline pick is the parlay of Italy and the under (2.5). Italy 1, Romania 0. Most likely it will be an early Italian goal followed by 60 minutes of Luca Toni rolling around on the ground like he just had a vasectomy forced upon him.


• Avillo question of the day: Does the cool soccer hair and uniforms of the Italians make up for them being a bunch of pansy whiners?

The Netherlands v. France:

• The Netherlands aka Holland (Who are the Dutch?) had a great opening match beating the Italians 3-0. Their first goal was a freak off-side goal by Little Johnny Mencher aka Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Their next two goals were clinical counter-attack goals as Italy pushed for an equalizing goal.


• France played an uninspired and scared match against Romania that ended in the always exciting 0-0 tie. Since the French enjoy kissing their sisters, the result shouldn't have come as a surprise.


• Monaco views this game basically as a pickem, giving the slightest of betting edge to The Netherlands. I think the principality is being generous to the French. Their last performance was so uninspiring that I don't see them being able to beat a now super-confident group of low-landers.


• The Hotline pick is Netherlands 2, France 1. Take the Dutch and the over (2.5).

Buffet Lite has decided to makes its blogs daily until the end of the opening round, so stay tuned to this channel for daily 1/2 correct predictions and non-sensical commentary.