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Bookmakers pick Germany; Euro 2008 is wide open
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NewsByte on 05 June, 2008 01:12:06
 
This month's wide open European Championship field has nine teams that look
capable of winning the title, including defending champion Greece, which is out
to prove that its surprise triumph four years ago in Portugal was no fluke.
Three-time champion Germany, however, is the favorite with the bookmakers, even
though the team has not won a European final tournament match in 12 years.
Nevertheless, there are no injuries, no worries and no pressure according to
Germany coach Joachim Loew, who sounds like he could be on vacation in the
spectacular setting of Lake Maggiore.
Three days before Germany kicks off its European Championship campaign against
Poland, Loew is a content man.
Loew says he feels a certain tension rising as the tournament approaches, and
he sometimes worries in bed at night that he hasn't accomplished all the things
he had in mind for that day.
But pressure? No wonder they call him "Pulse 60" in Germany for his seemingly
steady heart rate no matter what happens.
The 48-year-old Loew was responsible for creating the game plans and conducting
practice under Juergen Klinsmann before and during the 2006 World Cup at home,
helping the team reach third place.
However, world champion Italy is a title contender that could send Loew's
pulses racing, although the Italians have been hindered by the injury loss of
dependable captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The 13th European Championship, being played in Austria and Switzerland, has
something for everyone, quite apart from picking up the trophy.