The Week in Sport

Wow, how the weeks do fly past. The Euro 2012 provided it's characteristic surprises, which Russia and Poland knocked out of group A, sending the greasy Greeks and the sneaky Czechs through to the quarter-finals. Group B saw Denmark and the Netherlands suffer early exits from the group of death, with Germany topping the group and Portugal taking the runners-up position. England took an emphatic 1-0 lead in the current ODI series with the Windies, while Sri Lanka made sure they cannot lose their ODI series at home and the Zimbabweans got the jump in the Tri-Series, beating Bangladesh. The usual suspects triumphed in the rugby and drama ensued in the tennis, with Nalbandian disqualified for kicking an advertising board at a line judge and slicing his shin. If we are witnessing this type of violence in tennis, what does this week have in store?



HORSE RACING

Jockey Keagan Latham rode MIKE'S CHOICE to victory at the Gr 2 Post Merchants last week, holding off a strong field. Horse racing is heating up locally with many horses vying for contention for July Day, so we have listed the South African race meets, as well as some of the international ones for you to peruse.

Racing This Week:
South Africa
Tuesday: Vaal
Wednesday: Scottsville
Thursday: Vaal
Friday: Greyville   
Saturday: Kenilworth
Sunday: Clairwood

International
Wednesday: Hong Kong
Friday: Singapore
Saturday: Mauritius
Sunday: Singapore

SOCCER
Taking centre stage for all fans of the beautiful game, the Euro 2012 competition begins to wind it's way into the business end of the tournament. Groups C and D will be finalised on Monday and Tuesday respectively, and the week ends with the conclusion of the quarter finals, leaving only four teams left with a chance at European glory. Betting on Germany will likely prove fruitful, they have been the team of the tournament for me thus-far and I would not be at all surprised if they go all the way. Keep your eyes peeled for updates from footballing savant Commodore Vegas, as he urges you to “bet accordingly”.

Monday 18th June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 Croatia v Spain
20:00 – 23:30 SS5 UEFA Euro 2012 Italy v Republic Of Ireland

Tuesday 19th June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 England v Ukraine
20:00 – 23:30 SS5 UEFA Euro 2012 Sweden v France

Wednesday 20th June
19:15 – 21:30 SS4 National First Division Promotional Play Off: Santos v Chippa Utd

Thursday 21st June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 QF 1

Friday 22nd June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 QF 2

Saturday 23rd June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 QF 3
20:00 – 22:15 SS4 National First Division Promotional Play Off: Santos v Thanda Royal Zulu

Sunday 24th June
20:00 – 23:30 SS3 UEFA Euro 2012 QF 4

RUGBY 
The Northern Hemisphere sides rued their luck over the past weekend, as Ireland and Wales lost in the final moments of both of their encounters, sending violent Irish and Welsh drunks into despairing hangovers for Sunday. The English looked down and out against a well-oiled South African unit, but revived their chances deep into the second-half, only to be pipped at the post by man-of-the-match, JP Pietersen. This week sees the English take on the SA Barbarians North in a mid-week fixture, while the IRB Junior World Championships wrap up the place playoffs, as well as the final, which sees the Baby Boks take on New Zealand. On the weekend we are treated to another rugby feast, as the Inbound Tours conclude with the final tests. Argentina pulled off a fantastic victory against the French to make the Southern Hemisphere giants a tad uneasy ahead of the forthcoming Rugby Championships, and will be confident ahead of Saturday's fixture. And just to cap it off, John Smit has rounded up an Invitational World XV to play against the Sharks on Friday.

Tuesday 19th June
19:00 – 21:15 SS1 Int. Rugby - Inbound Tour Midweek Match - SA Barbarians North v England

Friday 22nd June
11:45 – 14:00 SS5 IRB Junior World Championship 9th / 10th Place Final
14:00 – 16:15 SS1 IRB Junior World Championship 5th / 6th Place Final
14:00 – 16:15 SS5 IRB Junior World Championship 11th / 12th Place Final
16:15 – 18:30 SS1 IRB Junior World Championship 3rd / 4th Place Final
16:15 – 18:30 SS5 IRB Junior World Championship 7th / 8th Place Final
18:30 – 21:00 SS1 IRB Junior World Championship Final
18:30 – 21:00 SS5 John Smit Testimonial World Invitational XV v The Sharks

Saturday 23rd June
05:35 – 07:30 SS6 Pacific Nations Cup Fiji v Tonga
06:45 – 09:00 SS1 Int. Rugby - Inbound Tour Australia v Wales 3rd Test
09:00 – 11:45 SS1 Int. Rugby - Inbound Tour New Zealand v Ireland 3rd Test
16:00 – 19:30 SS1 Int. Rugby - Inbound Tour South Africa v England 3rd Test
23:00 – 01:00 SS1 Argentina International Rugby Argentina v France 2nd Test

CRICKET

My cricket tips proved lucrative over the weekend, and I seem to be hitting somewhat of a purple patch. This makes me happy, and should have the same effect on you. This week sees the end of the ODI's between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with the test series rising to take prominence on Friday. I foresee equally tough betting ahead for that series, as it is tough to pick between these two. The England and West Indies ODI's also draw to a close, and we are treated to a once-off T20 to cap off a poor tour for the West Indians. The T20 Tri-Series in Zimbabwe gets into full swing, and we get to witness the Proteas in action and, despite the lack of big name players, I would suggest betting strongly on the young Proteas to take the tournament. You will be provided with previews on all the action from me, so keep you face glued to your screen.

Monday 18th June
10:45 – 19:15 SS2 SL Cricket - ODI Series Sri Lanka v Pakistan 5th ODI

Tuesday 19th June
11:30 – 20:00 SS5 Eng Cricket - Natwest Series England v West Indies 2nd ODI
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series South Africa v Bangladesh 2nd T20

Wednesday 20th June
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series Zimbabwe v South Africa 3rd T20

Thursday 21st June
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 4th T20

Friday 22nd June
06:45 – 14:30 SS6 SL Cricket - Test Series Sri Lanka v Pakistan 1st Test Day 1
11:40 – 20:00 SS7 Eng Cricket - Natwest Series England v West Indies 3rd ODI
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series South Africa v Bangladesh 5th T20

Saturday 23rd June
06:45 – 14:30 SS5 SL Cricket - Test Series Sri Lanka v Pakistan 1st Test Day 2
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series Zimbabwe v South Africa 6th T20

Sunday 24th June
06:45 – 14:30 SS5 SL Cricket - Test Series Sri Lanka v Pakistan 1st Test Day 3
12:45 – 16:30 SS2 Zim Cricket - Twenty20 Triangular Series Final
15:15 – 19:00 SS5 Eng Cricket - Natwest International Twenty20 England v West Indies

GOLF

Twenty six year old Webb Simpson held off the more experienced statesmen of Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell, as well as fellow youngster Michael Thompson to clinch his first US Open title last week. A little chip on the 18th to three feet for a par meant Simpson went into the clubhouse at one-over, and it was up to the rest of the field to displace him. However, the nerves got the better of his nearest challengers, and Olympic churned out yet another surprise victor. This week sees tournaments of a lesser calibre, the European Tour moves to Cologne, Germany for the BMW International Open, while the PGA Tour Travellers Championship is held in Connecticut.

Thursday 21st June
14:30 – 18:30 SS1 European Tour BMW International Open
21:30 – 00:00 SS1 PGA Tour Travellers Championship

MOTORSPORT

After seven different winners from seven different races, one wonders what surprises the European Grand Prix has in store. It takes place in Valencia, Spain which has become a stop that neither fans nor teams take kindly to, with a distinct lack of glitz and glamour giving the new race a mechanistic feel. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that the following week will produce it's fair share of surprises, and we will be providing our usual preview for your betting pleasure. The Canadian Grand Prix saw my Hamilton pick come through, so maybe, just maybe, I can find you some more value this week.

Sunday 24th June
13:30 – 16:30 SH2 F1: European Grand Prix

Leave us your top tips and selections in the comment box below! We want to know where you're putting your money, and where the value is!  Any big events we've left out here? Let us know!

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Compiled by Maverick White for Hollywoodbets.net!  Follow them both on Twitter now!