Spain vs Italy Preview Euro 2012 June 10th

Posted on January 6th, 2012

by Frederik in Euro Betting News

Spain vs Italy

The first Group C game in Euro 2012 should be a great one for the fans as World and European Champions Spain take on Italy at the PGE Arena in Gdańsk, Poland on June 10th.

Italy qualified for the event by winning Group C in the qualification round with 26 points from eight wins and two draws. However, their home game against Serbia was called over while it was in progress due to crowd trouble and they were awarded with a 3-0 win. Spain also went unbeaten and topped Group I with eight wins for 24 points and outscoring their opponents 26-6 along the way.

Both of these teams are regarded as among the best in the world and their past records show why. Italy has appeared in a total of 17 World Cups and has won the event on four occasions, which were at home in 1934 and in France 1938, in Spain in 1982, and in Germany in 2006. They were also runners up in 1970 and in 1994. When it comes to the European Championships they won it at home in 1968 and were runners up in 2000.

Spain hasn’t fared as well in major tournaments though. They have played in 13 world Cups and won it in 2010 in South Africa with a 1-0 extra time win over 10-man Holland. Up until then their best finish was fourth place back in 1950. The furthest they went in between was the quarterfinal stage. They have performed better in the European Championships and won the cup at home in 1964 and in Switzerland and Austria in 2008. They were also runners up in France in 1984.

Even History between Spain and Italy

The overall series between Spain and Italy is very close after 25 games between them with Italy winning eight of them and Spain winning seven. The other 10 have ended in draws. Italy has managed to outscore the Spanish 29-25. Spain has won two of the last three, but Italy won their last match at hone 2-1 in an august friendly.

In their last five games overall, Italy won three, drawn one and lost one, which was 1-0 at home to Uruguay in their last game. Spain has been struggling and has also won three, drawn one and lost one, but are winless in their last two after losing 1-0 in England and drawing 2-2 in Costa Rica.

Spain v Italy Predictions

If both teams play to their potential this game could be a classic. Spain is well known for their offensive brilliance while Italy has long been regarded as one of the best defensive nations in world football. It should be a close one, but Spain look a little stronger and should win this by a goal, with 2-1 being a likely result.

As of January, sportsbook William Hill had the odds of a Spain win listed at 4/6 with an Italian victory at 7/2 and a draw at 23/10.