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The summer is upon us, and though it may not seem like it, there is still plenty of online sports betting available. Training camp begins for American football, and it is never too early for NFL betting and the same goes for NCAA football betting as well.  Meanwhile, baseball is nearing the All Star break, and there are games every day to keep fans busy with MLB betting. However, there is still soccer to be played in the most watched sporting event in the world.

With 62 games in the record books, the 2010 World Cup from South Africa will end where it begin, in the newly built and impressive stadium known as Soccer City in Johannesburg.

The match for 3^rd place will happen on Saturday in Port Elizabeth, a consolation prize that neither Germany nor Uruguay were hoping, but nonetheless will compete for.  The big match is Sunday, in which one country will earn its first World Cup championship ever. The Netherlands and Spain both had high hopes coming into the tournament, and they have both met expectations and made it to the finals.

Spain look to accomplish a rare feat: winning the European Cup, and then winning the World Cup two years later.  They have had a clear advantage over many other teams in that the core squad has been playing together for years now under head coach Vincente Del Bosque.  Many other teams, including Germany whom they vanquished 1-0, have only played together for months, and others merely weeks.

Their team cohesion was on display during the Germany match, as they controlled most of the possession for the first 75 minutes, calming holding onto the ball and disrupting any counter through the middle.  In the 73’ minute  Spain earned a goal that ensured them the victory, and never did Germany really threaten.

They look to do the same against Netherlands, a team strong with midfielders. Arjen Robben, Wesley Sniejder, and Robin Van Persie have all looked stellar and lead the team, but will need to overcome Spain’s midfield attack.

The Dutch beat Uruguay 3-2 in the semi finals, and in the quarterfinals they upset favourites Brazil 2-1, marking the only game in the tournament in which a team trailing at halftime has come back to win the match.

Indeed, Netherlands has yet to lose a match in the tournament, winning all three of their group games.  In fact, they have yet to lose all year long.  Spain topped their group, but did so after dropping their first match. Should they win, they would be the first team to do so after an opening game loss.  However, their coach has said that the young team gained valuable experience in that loss, and realized the intensity of the tournament and what it takes to win.

Betting lines: After witnessing Germany’s scoring prowess throughout the games, Spain was underestimated in their semifinal match, but proved why they were the favourites coming in all along. Despite the Netherlands fire power, they have shown lapses on defense and Spain has shown their patience and their ability to control the entire match. Spain win 1-0.

Summer is upon us, and sports betting is full of baseball, golf, and tennis for the moment, with many exciting events on the horizon. The sports world is only a month of away from football, and both NFL betting and NCAA football betting are available for avid fans.  However, there is still one week left in the most popular sporting competition on the globe, as the World Cup nears an end in South Africa.  The semi-finals are this week, with four teams competing to play in the finals on Sunday from Johannesburg.  There is still time to get in on World Cup betting before the tournament is all over, and the four year wait begins again.

The second of the two semi-finals matches—the first between Netherlands and underdogs Uruguay- features two teams expected by many to make it to the finals.  Spain and Germany face off in the most anticipated match of the tournament yet.

While Spain were picked by many to win the competition outright, it is the Germans who come in looking like world champions. For the third time in the tournament, they scored four goals in a match, beating Diego Maradona and Argentina 4-0 in the quarterfinals.  Like they did against England in the round of 16, a 4-1 victory, Germany scored early and forced their opponents to press in the second half, resulting in more scoring opportunities.  One of the youngest teams in the competition, Germany is quick on the counterattack and have shown how lethal they can be, seemingly scoring at will.

Spain meanwhile, struggled to get to the semis, after an intense 1-0 victory over underdogs Paraguay.  The game hardly went as planned for Spain, with star Francisco Torres underperforming and not being able to shake off a nagging injury.  Spain was fortunate after committing a foul and awarding Paraguay a penalty in the second half they could not convert. Still, Spain has made it to the final four, where they planned to be all along.

David Villa has nearly carried his team single-handedly, scoring five of Spain’s six goals, including the only one against Paraguay.  His adversary will be German forward Miroslav Klose, who’s four goals have been among the many Germany has scored, as he looks to overtake Villa for the Golden Boot in the tournament.  Both players will be key to their team’s success, however more pressure is on Villa who doesn’t appear to have the same supporting cast as Klose.

Betting lines:  Spain are the very slight favourites in many parts, but it seems more based on pre-tournament predictions than judging the teams by their latest performance.  Germany has looked far superior and is playing more as a team, with each player performing their role in lieu of going after individual glory.  Germany are more opportunistic, and despite all the stars on Spain, they will not be able to overcome the impressive team effort put forth by the Germans.  Look for the match to be one of the more exciting and technically sound games in tournament, with Germany scoring early, and taking advantage of Spain’s press, winning 2-0.

There are plenty of events happening this month to entertain and satisfy every fan’s need for online sports betting. For many, however, there is now the rare opportunity of 2010 World Cup betting, the popular and compelling quadrennial soccer tournament.  For those who want a leg up, follow along at the World Cup soccer blog.

Two favourites to win it all go head to head in a tough part of the bracket a young Germany squad faces off against the offensive prowess of Argentina.

One of the youngest clubs in the tournament, Germany comes into the quarterfinals after a convincing, yet controversial, victory over England.  They got off to a strong start with two goals in the first half.  However, a mental lapse that lasted only a few minutes nearly changed the entire complexity of the game.  England got on the board in the 36^th minutes, and mere moments later they appeared to tie the game.  A hard strike from a distance banged off the crossbar, bounced down and was cleared away by the German keeper.  Replay shows, clearly, that the ball crossed the line and England should have been awarded the equalizer.

German would win the game 4-1, with impressive goals in the second half that showcased their breakout and closing skills.  However, England did indeed score, and were it to count, the complexion of the game would have changed greatly.

Argentina comes in equally strong, but too amid controvesary. They were surely the better team in the round of 16 against Mexico, but their first goal was earned on a missed offside call. Nonetheless, the Argentines do deserve to be where they are, after topping their group behind the offense of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. The scary thing for opponents is that star man Lionel Messi, arguably the best player in the world, has yet to play his best.  He has had his chances and contributed to goals, but Messi is hungry for goals, and can only be stopped for so long.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has apologized to both sides and conceded the miss calls.  But such is the game, and anything can happen.

Betting lines:  Both teams, along with all fans, hope that the game won’t be decided by missed or controversial calls.  Both teams have been given gifts, but they are good too, and part of being good is being lucky.  Argentina will have the edge, and rightly so. Messi will be the best player on the pitch, and the best player can swing the game in one quick moment.  The Germans are talented, and youth has proven an advantage, but facing a South American team with confidence and fire, they will falter in a close match that sees extra time.

This summer, sports betting is given it’s quadrennial kick with added excitement for fans worldwide. You can bet on World Cup action as the tournament heats up heading into the knockout round where only sixteen teams remain. As well as picking the winners day to day, World Cup final betting is also available for those looking ahead and reevaluating the teams after some major upsets and surprises.

There is still much to be determined in the final pairings in Group H, with all teams still having an opportunity to win and advance to the next round. Conversely, a loss by any of the teams, and they are likely done.

Spain and Switzerland both have three points, while Chile is in the lead with 6 after two victories. The Spaniards scoring one more goal, two in total, than the Swiss gives them an important edge.  This advantage may prove key, as a tie atop the points table is broken by goal differential, and then goals for.

Spain look to earn three points and advance in first place in the group, as the whole world expected they would.  An opening match loss to Switzerland, 1-0, however, changed everything.  With the loss, Spain joined the ranks of France, Germany, and Italy as popular and experienced teams that have been upset at these games.  Still England, Portugal, and Brazil have struggled at times in a tournament that has displayed the drama and excitement of football.

Chile comes in with confidence after two 1-0 victories. Even with a loss to Spain, the South American team has a chance to advance.  Their impressive defense and goalkeeping has yet to allow a goal, with keeper Claudio Bravo inspiring confidence among his teammates. The offense meanwhile, while only netting two goals, has shown flashes of greatness, only being denied by bad luck, goal posts, and questionable calls that have dogged this tournament.

Spain star Fransisco Torres seems to have found his stride after an opening match in which he appeared to still be recovering from a leg injury that has dogged him all year.  As he catches up to game speed, he can and will be lethal.  He may not be 100% for the match, but should Spain advance, he will play a pivotal role.

Betting lines: Spain are favoured greatly, as they have been the entire tournament, but recent history has shown that upsets are not only possible, but could happen to any team at any time. The Chileans will be happy to play strong defense and hold off the Spaniards, and history has shown that opportunistic teams can net a goal and hold on to the lead. Both teams are in good spots, but with another game going simultaneously, anything is possible.  Look for Spain to struggle, as a string of surprise outcomes continues: Chile and Spain will draw, as Chile moves on and Spain awaits the result of the other group match.