If you are thinking of making a future bet on Germany in World Cup odds you may want to reconsider your wager.
Germany is going to be without captain Michael Ballack as he was hurt in Chelsea’s 1-0 win in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth this past weekend. Losing Ballack is a huge blow to Germany’s chances in World Cup betting.
World Cup odds actually listed Germany as a serious contender to win the title at 10-1. Without Ballack in the lineup those odds should be much higher. Ballack has torn ligaments in his right ankle and will not play for Germany in the World Cup. The German soccer federation said that Ballack won’t even be able to train for at least two months. "It’s football and you have to live with it. … I am angry, clearly," Ballack said. Germany reached the 2002 World Cup final and the 2006 semifinals with Ballack a big reason why. Without him they are probably in trouble in the 2010 World Cup which begins in less than three weeks time.
Germany is in a weak group, perhaps the weakest of all the World Cup groups so they could still make the knockout round in World Cup betting without Ballack. Winning after the group stage though seems unlikely. His absence might actually help the United States who could play Germany in the second round. "It’s got a little bit of a bad aftertaste when he’s going to miss the World Cup," said U.S. coach Bob Bradley, "He’s been such an important player for them. Any time there’s an injury late where a big player is going to miss the opportunity to play in the World Cup. I think everybody feels bad about it."
Germany begins their World Cup group play against Australia and then they will play Serbia and Ghana. Germany is still favored to win Group D in World Cup odds. Just how important has Ballack been for Germany? He has made 98 appearances for Germany and scored 42 goals. In 2002 he led the team to the final but missed that loss to Brazil because of a yellow card he got in the semifinals. He was injured in 2006 and didn’t do much for Germany in that year’s World Cup. Without Ballack in the lineup it seems unlikely that Germany can go very far in World Cup odds.