Germany firm for EURO 2016 title as Spain and England crash out

WITH the round of 16 done and dusted, Germany have joined France as favourites to win the 2016 European Championships.

The two rivals are paying $4 apiece in the outright betting at Sportsbet.com.au, with Belgium ($4.50) next in line.

The Germans saw off Slovakia to set up a quarterfinal date with Italy, who ended Spain’s campaign for a third straight title on Monday evening.

The French had a tougher time against the Republic of Ireland, going down a goal early before rallying through an Antoine Griezmann brace in the second half.

Belgium didn’t have it all their own way against Hungary, but sublime performances from Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne were enough to seal a 4-0 win.

The biggest story of the last 16, however, came in the final match of the round.

England looked like they had things under control against Iceland when a Wayne Rooney penalty gave them an early lead.

But, in typical self-sabotaging fashion, some lax set-piece defending and a howler from goalkeeper Joe Hart saw the Brits exit Europe for the second time in the space of a week.

That leaves Wales, who edged a cagey encounter with Northern Ireland, as the last remaining hope of the four British and Irish nations to qualify.

They face the Belgians on Friday, while Iceland – $151 outsiders for the title a week ago – will take on the hosts in Lyon on Sunday.

The Euro 2016 quarterfinals commence on Thursday with Poland and Portugal, who ousted Switzerland and Croatia respectively after added extra time.

European Championship quarterfinal odds

All dates and times listed according Central European Summer Time (CEST)

9pm Thursday, June 30, 2016 – Stade Velodrome, Marseille

Poland – $3.70
Draw – $3
Portugal – $2.20

9pm Friday, July 1, 2016 – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq

Belgium – $1.73
Draw – $3.40
Wales – $5.50

9pm Saturday, July 2, 2016 – Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Germany – $2.20
Draw – $3
Italy – $3.75

9pm Sunday, July 3, 2016 – Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon

France – $1.40
Draw – $4.50
Iceland – $8.50

Euro 2016 outright betting

France, Germany – $4

Belgium – $4.50

Italy – $7.50

Portugal – $8

Poland, Wales – $21

Iceland – $41

Top goalscorer odds

Antoine Griezmann (FRA) – $4

Gareth Bale (WLS) – $7.50

Cristiano Ronaldo (PRT) – $8

Mario Gomez (DEU), Romelu Lukaku (BEL) – $9

Dimitri Payet (FRA) – $12

Graziano Pelle (ITA) – $17

Olivier Giroud (FRA) – $21

Nani (PRT) – $26

Alvaro Morata (ESP) – $34

Jakub Blaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski (POL), Eden Hazard (BEL), Thomas Muller (DEU) – $41

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (ISL) – $51

Michy Batshuayi (BEL), Eder (ITA) – $67

Arkadiusz Milik (POL) – $81