Weekend Review: England off to perfect start at Euro 2020 as Royal Ascot looms

England secured their first win in an opening game of a European Championships in their history as punters got one over on the layers during the first weekend of Euro 2020.

Backed from 5/6 all the way into 1/2, England exacted revenge against Croatia three years on from their World Cup semi-final defeat heartbreak in Russia, thanks to a well-taken Raheem Sterling finish after great play by Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips.

The #BoyFromBrent delivering on the biggest stage.

A special day for @sterling7! ? pic.twitter.com/N8zzL8INop

— England (@England) June 14, 2021

Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “Wonderful to have Euro 2020 up and running, and interest levels over the weekend from our customers was extremely high. We invariably take a big hit when England win a match, but it’s brilliant that they’ve made such a competent, promising start.”

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill revealed there were some silver linings in the England result, with a low score line and Harry Kane failing to find the net providing positives for the bookies.

Gill said: “Interestingly, somewhere between the price on England, England’s poor record in opening games of major tournaments, the single goal in the game and Harry Kane not getting on the score sheet, we came out ahead in the England Croatia match despite England’s win.”

William Hill’s Rupert Adams echoed Gill’s thoughts, adding: “England game was not great but 1-0 was as good as it could be for an England victory – real problem was all three favourites won and that was a nice little acca.”

Elsewhere, Gill noted Euro fever had captured interest across the continent with bettors in major markets backing their national teams and coming out on top.

The Netherlands attracted strong support despite being a skinny 4/6, eventually emerging 3-2 winners in a triller against Ukraine in Amsterdam on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Austria went from 1/2 to 4/5 ahead of their encounter with debutants North Macedonia but still managed a comfortable 3-1 victory.

On Saturday, Belgium’s odds drifted like a barge from 8/13 to evens ahead of their clash with Russia in St Petersburg due partly to talisman Kevin De Bruyne being injured. However, Belgium made light work of the job, breezing past their opponents with a 3-0 win, including a brace by Romelu Lukaku.

The Inter Milan striker had been 7/1 favourite to be top scorer ahead of the tournament, yet his odds have understandably crashed to 9/4 after his fast start.

A win for Finland at 11/1 over Denmark in Group B was of course overshadowed by the cardiac arrest of Christian Eriksen who is currently recovering in hospital.

What an eventful first game. A lot of good moments, also a short period of weakness but in the end brought in the win. ?? What a relief and great to see so many cheering fans in the stadium, even our King and Queen ??? #NEDUKR pic.twitter.com/V4plRozWYl

— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) June 13, 2021

Gill said: “Wins for major Kindred markets in Belgium and Netherlands as well as Austria’s win over North Macedonia meant opening weekend was one for the players.”

Additionally, Adams and Firkins pointed towards an exciting sporting week ahead with three major events all set to take place.

Adams said: “What a week ahead with Royal Ascot, Euro 2020 and US Open golf. It will almost certainly be the biggest week of the year.”

Firkins noted how one legendary jockey could leave the bookies blitzed at Royal Ascot.

Mornings like this ❤️

Horses get their first taste of the track!#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/DCnCTF2Pha

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 14, 2021

Firkins said: “On the racing front all roads lead to the Royal meeting, and when I mentioned this to the traders in terms of potential icebergs, I got the following response, ‘two words: Frankie Dettori.’

“Stradivarius and Palace Pier are massive potential losers for us, and also feature in many shrewd accas. If the little Italian genius is on-song this week, we’re all in trouble.”