Euro 08 Player Of The Tournament
The Player Of The Tournament Award is very likely to go to a player who reaches at least the semi final as four games isn’t really enough to show what you are made of at a major international tournament.
This means it is best to start off with teams that are most likely to make up the semi finals. Given the draw the most probably semi finalists according to the bookies and our own predictions are Portugal, Germany, Spain and Italy.
So who are each team’s main contenders?
Portugal
Only one player in with a shout here, man of the moment Cristiano Ronaldo. He has bags of skill and the end product to match. You don’t score 42 goals in a season unless you are exceptional and with showboating likely at every opportunity he won’t fail to catch viewers’ attentions.
Cristiano Ronaldo can be backed to be Player Of The Tournament at 10/1 with Boylesports
Germany
Germany don’t really have one exceptional player, instead they are made up of a group of very good players who work well as a team. Main striker Miroslav Klose is likely to get a few goals but doesn’t do too much else so their best hope may be Michael Ballack who ended the Premiership season in terrific form. He scores goals and creates them and is likely to be one of Germany’s best players at Euro 08.
Michael Ballack can be backed to be Player Of The Tournament at 10/1 with Paddy Power
Spain
Many punters would be looking to Fernando Torres and David Villa here but both are out and out finishers and would probably have to return an exceptional amount of goals to win player of the tournament. That’s a possibility but it could be best to look at midfield genius Cesc Fabregas. He is an extremely composed player and will get the chance to show everyone how good he is as he pulls the strings from Spain’s midfield. Having two great strikers to feed the ball to should make him look even better.
Cesc Fabregas can be backed to be Player Of The Tournament at 25/1 with Paddy Power
Italy
It is a bit more difficult to pick out a player for Italy as they are an outstanding unit and often don’t show too much flair which makes it hard for one of their players to be selected as player of the tournament. With central defender Fabio Cannavaro, probably their best contender, injured recently it may be best to concentrate on Gianluigi Buffon at a massive price. The loss of Cannavaro could mean Buffon has more to do in the Italian net and he was named goalkeeper of the tournament at World Cup 2006.
Gianluigi Buffon can be backed to be Player Of The Tournament at 80/1 with Paddy Power
The Verdict
So which of these do we pick? The player must likely to shine and bring attention to himself is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo and with goals and dazzling skills all but guaranteed he looks a stand out bet in this market. He may be favourite but 10/1 is a very reasonable price and this could be one of the best bets of Euro 08.
Back Cristiano Ronaldo to be Player Of The Tournament at 10/1 with Boylesports | 
