Betting trends tout Spain to win

Spain should emerge as the winners in tomorrow's crunch World Cup final against the Netherlands, according to betting trends in Malta.

Though Maltco could not provide data on betting for the final World Cup match in Malta, UBet vendor Joseph Farrugia said bets were in the large majority for a Spanish win.

The trends echo similar sentiments overseas. UK betting company Betfair said bets on Spain to lift the cup outnumbered a Dutch win by more than three to one.

A spokesman said €22 million had been gambled on Spain as overall winner, with €13.5 million going for the Netherlands since betting on the tournament started.

A spokesman for Bwin said most punters were betting on a Spanish win.

The odds are heavily against the Orange: Betfair is putting the odds of a Holland win at 3.8 and Spain at 2.18 while Bwin is similarly putting the odds of a Holland victory at 3.5 with Spain at 2. Ubet has also put the odds in Spain's favour.

Former sports commentator and journalist Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, however, thinks that, despite the odds, the Netherlands had a stronger team.

"I think Holland has a better experienced bunch of players and, although Spain won the European championship, I see the Dutch as being more mature than the Spanish. It should be a very balanced, good final and I think Holland has an edge."

He would not predict who would win: "Ask the (Paul, the 'psychic') octopus - I'm not getting my guesses right," the football-loving cleric said.

"Football is a phenomenon; you cannot predict a match. I'm glad these two teams have proved themselves through the way they have tackled their matches, beating stiffer opposition on paper."

Former national coach Pippo Psaila said Spain had a stronger squad on an individual basis but the Netherlands had a better team and showed great acumen in the way it tackled matches.

"The Dutch collectively are extremely disciplined and they press in certain places," the tactician said. He said individual talent was not missing from the squad but expressed itself in a different manner.

"(Wesley) Sneijder manages to shine, not because of what he does but because of what he makes the team do," Mr Psaila said, adding the final result would mostly be determined by refereeing decisions.