In our ongoing look at the odds on EuroBasket 2009 (herein presented by Euroleague/Ball in Europe partner SportingBet.com), BallinEurope.com takes a few notes on the current odds and trends in Group C.
Group C is the pool which is getting officially overhyped in this tournament as the “Group of Death” sports journalists so often seek to pigeonhole one quartet in such international tournaments. To those opining such, we can simply say, “Whatever.” I mean, just look at today’s lines for the group.
EuroBasket 2009 – Group C – Outright Winner
Spain: 3/10
Serbia: 19/4
Slovenia: 19/4
Great Britain: 125/1
Sure, this is a group of death – if you’re any team not named “Spain.” Not only has Team Spain’s odds for taking this group improved, having gone from 1/3 favorites to 3/10, the odds on their taking the whole EuroBasket 2009 enchilada are getting shorter all the time. Spain currently sits atop the “Outright Winner” odds table in a steady progression from 6/5 to 1/1 to today’s 3/4 to win it all.
Meanwhile, Serbia is getting few takers at the bookmakers’, apparently, having lengthened their odds from 15/4 to today’s 19/4. Team Britain, meanwhile, has gone from a please-bet-two-pounds-on-this 18/1 line to a hefty 125/1 after Luol Deng announced he wouldn’t play.
On the other hand, Serbia’s loss is Slovenia’s gain. If you’re a believer in this bunch get about the punters’ bandwagon now because these odds are dropping faster than knickers at a Dwyane Wade pool party: Once 8/1 at Sporting Bet, Slovenia is down to even with Serbia at 19/4 odds to take Group C and should be seen as second-favorites in this group before this group round tips off.
Recommendations? Well, you can’t bet against Spain, but this Team Slovenia is one to keep an eye on in this tournament – they could surprise. For your further consideration, see the quite impressive extended roster, which includes 10 Euroleaguers and three from the NBA:
Sani Becirovic (Roma), Mirza Begic (Union Olimpija), Primoz Brezec (Roma), Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns), Jurica Golemac (Roma), Goran Jagodnik (Nymburg), Nebojsa Joksimovic (Hemofarm Vrsac), Jaka Klobucar (Union Olimpija), Matej Krusic (Helios Domzale), Jaka Lakovic (FC Barcelona), Domen Lorbek (Benetton Treviso), Erazem Lorbek (CSKA Moscow), Marko Maravic (Union Olimpija), Bostjan Nachbar (Dynamo Moscow), Saso Ozbolt (Union Olimpija), Emir Preldzic (Fenerbahce Ulker), Uros Slokar (GMAC Bologna), Matjaz Smodis (CSKA Moscow), Marko Tusek (Air Avellino), Beno Udrih (Sacramento Kings), Samo Udrih (Estudiantes), Sasha Vujacic (Los Angeles Lakers), Gasper Vidmar (Fenerbahce Ulker), Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija).
