You’ll not get 5,000/1 but you will get serious odds for it.
150/1. That’s what Ladbrokes are pricing Ireland’s chances of winning Euro 2016 at. 150/1.
Only three teams have longer odds.
In fact, Ireland’s chances of success in France are being touted as so slim that they’re odds-on to exit the tournament at the group stage.
Ireland’s stage of elimination
Group stage – 4/7
Last 16 – 11/5
Quarter-final – 9/1
Semi-final – 22/1
Runner-up – 66/1
Listen to your granny, light a candle. God knows we need the help https://t.co/PKSZnD4CuZ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 6, 2016
But one man is backing the underdog, even if it means his own country might get bitten.
Gianluca Vialli believes that the stage is set for a ‘smaller team’ to make a breakthrough at Euro 2016 and even win the whole thing. Those small teams include Ireland.
In an interview with Goal, the former Italian superstar said that it wouldn’t shock him to see a side like Ireland go far this summer.
“I believe that this will be the year of the underdogs,” Vialli told Goal. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see a smaller team competing and if not winning it, getting to the final.
“I am thinking about Albania, I am thinking about Wales, even Ireland or Austria – an unexpected team might go unusually far.”
Even Ireland.
Martin O’Neill’s side take on Italy in their final group game and, although the former Chelsea player recognises that Belgium are their biggest threat, he’s not ruling out Ireland’s chances of success.
Sure we’ll probably already be through by the time the Italy game comes around.
