BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Advocaat's army outlay brings early festive cheer

MOST people I see on the television, hear on the radio and read in the newspaper are getting excited about the festive period but for me Christmas came early on Friday with the draw for Euro 2012.

Admittedly, tying up the betting funds for several months is not exactly what the doctored ordered at this expensive time of the year but I cannot resist getting involved in the ante-post groups for major tournaments.

There's more value than in Poundland.

Now I am as English as Stuart Pearce and of course I want us to win the Euros but we won't.

We are pretty rubbish – remember Algeria in the World Cup for instance and there is no way I can have England as favourites to win Group D.

I think France are a top team and home advantage is massive in these kind of tournaments so Ukraine could also be livelyrunners but for me it's Laurent Blanc's men all day long with Sweden booked for bottom spot.

The Spain-Italy straight forecast is nailed on in Group C with Croatia and Ireland out of their depth and I think Germany are bankers in Group B despite being in the so-called group of death alongside Holland, Portugal and Denmark.

No doubt Group A will be named the group of life but I am calling it the mortgage job section.

Russia are a bigger certainty to come out on top against Poland, Czech Republic and Greece than Sir Alex Ferguson moaning about a refereeing decision at Villa Park on Saturday.

The Poles are useless, the Czechs are so bad they struggled against Scotland and Greece won't be able to win the group unless Uefa decide to change the rules allowing double points for a 0-0 draw.

Good old Dick Advocaat has got a quality team at his disposal and I am convinced they will run out group winners with something to spare.

Never mind Christmas, roll on June 8.