In South Africa, meanwhile, only eight teams remain as Friday kicks off the quarterfinals; those competing only have three more games, and three more wins to achieve greatness.
Online sports betting has been given an exciting boost this summer, as the World Cup is taking place in South Africa. The biggest sports attraction there is has brought in 32 top football teams to vie for supremacy, and World Cup betting offers exciting matchups once every four years. Check out the World Cup blog for more tips and advice. And if soccer is not your thing, there is MLB betting offered on a daily basis to satisfy your needs.
What looks to be one of the most competitive and close matches of the tournament starts the round in beautiful Port Elizabeth at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium between Netherlands and Brazil.
While Italy, the United States, and England have all faltered and failed to meet expectations, two teams thought to win their respective groups and make their way to the finals have done just that. Both Netherlands and Brazil were destined to meet in the quarterfinals should they top the group stage, and they did just that. Among the top teams in the world, the winner is likely to compete for the trophy on July 11th.
The Oranje have yet to lose in the tournament, and have yet to concede a goal during normal play. The Dutch beat Denmark 2-0 to open the competition, edged Japan 1-0, and beat Cameroon 2-1 in a virtually meaningless final game. To advance to the quarterfinal, Netherlands beat surprise Slovakia, a team simply happy to be in the round of 16, quite handily. The final score, 2-1, was not indicative of a team that allowed only two genuine goal scoring opportunities, both to the Slovakia star Robert Vittek.
After earning nine points in the group stage the Dutch seemed to improve in the knock out round as Arjen Robben started the match and notched an impressive goal, cutting back to centre after taking a pass on the side, and delivering a low strike inside the post past the diving keeper.
As good as the Oranje have been, Brazil has been too. They beat a passionate and defensive North Korea team to open the competition, dominated Ivory Coast 3-1, and then drew Portugal in a half hearted effort by both clubs. To move to the quarters, Brazil manhandled fellow South Americans Chile, by a score of 3-0.
Juan and Fabiano strike within three minutes of one another to take a 2-0 lead into the half, and Robinho scored in the second for the decisive victory.
Betting lines: Brazil will be favoured slightly, but the game is indeed a toss -up. Netherlands have historically underachieved at this point in the tournament despite dominating the group stage. Brazil too have looked strong, but some thought their hearts would not be in it as they look to the games in 2014 as the host nation. The stars on both sides are performing to expectations and between Robben, Van Persie, and Snjieder for the Dutch, and Kaka, Fabiano, and Robinho for Brazil, this will be the most exciting game yet. History goes to Brazil, and they will edge the Dutch in a very close game that will likely see extra time.
World Cup Quarterfinals – Netherlands versus Brazil
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Bet World Cup – Groups A And B To Be Decided On Tuesday
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If you’re going to bet World Cup odds, you’re in for a busy Tuesday as the first round of the World Cup in South Africa comes to an end, and it all begins with Groups A and B, where there is still a lot to play for.
Mexico Uruguay Betting – Tuesday, 10:00 AM ET
Neither team is favored as a draw is rated at -130 for the Group A leaders, and both need only a draw to go through to the next round. This will be the 18th meeting for these two countries, and the Mexicans have won seven and drawn seven of them. But Uruguay’s Diego Forlan has been devastating so far, and they’ll have to stop him. Will the motivation to avoid Argentina in the next round be enough to spark one of these two to go for a win? (Sports betting pick: Draw -130)
France South Africa Betting – Tuesday, 10:00 AM ET
The French are favored at +110, but Les Bleus have had more problems off the pitch than on it with Nicolas Anelka being sent home after a 2-0 loss to Uruguay, team directors quitting, and ex-legends bashing the team. South Africa will likely be the first home team to be eliminated in the first round, but if you’re going to bet soccer online and get an upset, this is the game. South Africa has a draw and two losses in three meetings with France, but we’re taking the hosts to play for their pride. (Sports betting pick: South Africa +230)
Nigeria South Korea Betting – Tuesday, 2:30 PM ET
South Korea are favored at +145, and despite a 4-1 loss to Argentina, they’re still in it, which is more than we can say for Nigeria. The Super Eagles are out of the World Cup, and will be aiming to just earn a point. This should be an open match as South Korea needs to improve their goal difference, but Nigeria won’t roll over for them. South Korea has won two and drawn one of their three matches against Nigeria, but like South Africa, the Super Eagles are playing for national pride. (Sports betting pick: Draw +230)
Argentina Greece Betting – Tuesday, 2:30 PM ET
Many who write a soccer blog have Argentina picked to win it all, and La Albiceleste may have had the best World Cup of anyone so far. Lionel Messi has been in thrilling form, and that’s danger for the Greeks, who are tied with South Korea on three points. Greece would love to avenge a 4-0 loss to Argentina in their lone meeting, and it’s going to be interesting to see how they attack the Group B favorites. However, we’re expecting Argentina to continue their great form.
( Soccer Betting pick: Argentina -170)
Lakers win 2010 NBA Championship Title
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After a great game, the Lakers won 83-79 against the Celtics in the NBA finals betting game 7.
Los Angeles Lakers have won their 16th NBA championship, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 Thursday night in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Pau Gasol won with much suffering its second consecutive championship ring in the NBA. The Celtics got to go ahead by 12 points but the Lakers were able to suffer and drove around a historic match, full of emotion. Pau was instrumental in the fourth quarter with nine points and finished the game with 19 points and 18 rebounds.
Results in NBA championship series in which the Celtics and Lakers have met:
1958-59 - Boston Celtics def. Minneapolis Lakers, 4-0
1961-62 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
1962-63 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
1964-65 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1
1965-66 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
1967-68 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
1968-69 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
1983-84 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
1984-85 - Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics, 4-2
1986-87 - Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics, 4-2
2007-08 - Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
2009-10 - Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics, 4-3
