The second game to take place in Group B of the European Championships 2008 pits Germany against local rivals Poland in what should be a very interesting encounter. Rivalry between the countries has been fierce throughout history and this will apply to football when the two sides clash for the first time ever in a European Championship finals scenario. To add fuel to the fire both Betfair and Skybet are offering free bets on this match and on tournament long betting options. Germany broke records in their qualification campaign when they became the first team to claim their place in Austria and Switzerland which was helped by a 13-0 mauling of San Marino.

The Germans will be looking for their fourth title having won the competition in 1972, 1980 and in 1996. Ironically, Germany have failed to win any matches in the European Championship finals since winning in 1996, having drawn three and lost three of their six games played since. Some have tipped Germany to make amends for an awful Euro 2004, where they failed to progress from the group stages, and take the title in 2008. With guaranteed goals from front man Miroslav Klose, who averages better than a goal every other game, the talents of Michael Ballack in midfield and a defence which has massively improved it is easy to see why pundits think this is Germany’s year. Although they are not the best team on paper it would take a brave, or misinformed, man to bet against Germany lifting the trophy. Poland are appearing in their first ever finals and will want to show the world that their impressive qualification campaign wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The started off by slowly by losing and drawing their first two games but a run of six straight wins propelled them into top spot above much fancied Portugal. Ranked 27th in the world, Poland are a very flexible team having played a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations in recent games under their Dutch coach.

Retirements of key playmaking players have weakened the squad, which lacks strength in depth, but former Celtic striker Marciej Zurawski has been appointed captain and is relishing his new role just behind prolific forward Euzebiusz Smolarek. Smolarek hit an impressive 9 goals in qualifying but has suffered an indifferent season with his Spanish club side Racing Santandar and the whole of Poland will be praying he returns to form that made him a national hero when Poland qualified for the finals.

Whilst Germany will be favourites in this match, and to win the group, the astute bettors amongst you might be able to find some value in betting on Poland. Free bets from Betfair and Skybet will take away the sting if your predictions don’t go to plan and with a huge range of betting options to chose from such as first and last goal scorer, number of red and yellow cards dispensed and time of the first goal you’ll be sure to find a betting option for you to use your free bets on.