Scotland’s David Murdoch, who is also the current world champion, defends the European title that he has won in the last two years. Among his “A” division rivals will be Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud, losing finalist in the last two European championships, and Sky Bet rate the Norwegians as Scotland’s main competition and have priced them at 2/1. The next team in the betting are Europe’s other perennial top teams, Germany and Switzerland, both of whom can be backed at 8/1 with the Harrogate based firm.
As well as representing their countries in the European Championships, both of these teams are bound for Vancouver and the Olympic Winter Games in February (where the Scots will compete as Great Britain), as are the men’s teams from Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The men’s “A” division is completed by the Czech Republic, Finland and Italy.
In the Women’s tournament, Sky Bet cannot separate the traditional top two of Sweden and Switzerland, joint favourites at 2/1, with the main threat likely to come from the fast improving Denmark team, available at 7/2. Home team Scotland can be backed at 8/1.
Sky Bet Winter Sports betting spokesman Cameron Murray: “ This should be a great tournament, especially with the Vancouver Winter Olympics just a couple of months away, but it is difficult to see past another Scotland v Norway final in the Men’s tourney, and indeed another Scottish win. In the Women’s event I would hope to see the Denmark team reach their potential and win a tournament soon, and think they offer decent value at the 7/2.”
Mens European Championship 2009 - Win Outright
Scotland 5/4 France 12/1
Norway 2/1 Sweden 16/1
Germany 8/1 Czech Republic 20/1
Switzerland 8/1 Finland 28/1
Denmark 12/1 Italy 50/1
Womens European Championship 2009 - Win Outright
Sweden 2/1 Russia 14/1
Switzerland 2/1 Norway 18/1
Denmark 7/2 Italy 25/1
Scotland 8/1 England 33/1
Germany 10/1 Finland 40/1