Nigeria looks for upset over Sweden in opener

Soccer Betting Lines

09/10/2007 - Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden has been the World Cup runners-up for four years and the five-time qualifiers are ready to put the past behind it to make a run at its first title.

The Swedish side lost the final on a golden goal in overtime to Germany, 2-1, four years ago in the United States. Many of the players who led Sweden to the final four years ago are back, which is why it's one of the favorites to capture a title.

Sweden opens its tournament on Tuesday against Nigeria, the lowest-ranked team in Group B, which also features the United States and North Korea.

Group B figures to be the toughest group with Sweden ranked third in the world by FIFA, the United States No. 1 and North Korea No. 5. So, Sweden needs to get off to a good start in a group featuring the same four teams as 2003.

Four years ago, Sweden lost its opener to the United States, but didn't lose again until the final.

Sweden defeated Nigeria, 3-0, in its third game in the group stage to secure its spot in the quarterfinals. Hanna Ljungberg, who is back this year, scored two goals in the second half of the victory.

Ljungberg, who once received an invitation to play for Italian Serie A men's club Perugia, scored 10 goals in qualifying for this year's Cup.

"If we prepare properly and remain free of injuries, we can match our showing of 2003," Ljungberg said on FIFA.com. "We know what we're capable of if the conditions are right."

Nigeria would also like to forget about the 2003 World Cup, but for different reasons. Nigeria, also a five-time Cup qualifier, lost all three games in the group stage without scoring a goal.

"I believe the 2007 World Cup is going to be good to us," Nigeria coach Effiom Ntiero said on FIFA.com.

In their five trips to the tournament, the Super Falcons are 2-10-1 and have advanced out of the group stage just once. The team staged a dramatic rally against Brazil in the 1999 quarterfinals, coming back from three goals down in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss.

If Nigeria is finally going to make its impact on the world stage - the team has won all five African Championships - it will need to open the tournament with a dramatisk (dramatic in Swedish) victory.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.