Monday, January 10, 2005

Team Handball Betting on the Web

There are several websites on the web that offer betting on Team Handball. It's possible to bet on anything from Danish Women's League matches to the upcoming World Championships in Tunisia. No, there are no lines (yet) for the SETHC or the NETHC.

Some websites that offer handball betting include:

Nordicbet.com
Centrebet.com
Betandwin.com

Perhaps the most interesting thing about these websites is that it is a pretty good way to assess the relative strength of International Teams. Why is a good way? Because quite simply money talks. If you think these odds are inaccurate, open an account and make a mint.

For instance take a look at the odds for the Pan-American sides in the upcoming World Championships. At Nordic Bet, Argentina is currently listed at 300-1 to win it all; Brazil at 500-1, and Canada at 1,000-1. Centrebet gives a little better return for your money with Argentina and Brazil both at 500-1 and Canada at 2,500-1. As a reference point, the 3 co-favorites, France, Denmark, and Croatia are listed at around 4-1. Maybe, someday a team from the America's will make it down below 100-1. In fact, I'm a little surprised Argentian isn't shown a little more respect.

Or, as another reference point, take a look at the odds for the first round games. If you want to bet on the Quebcois (er.. Canadians) to pull "a miracle on teraflex" against France you will get 11 to 1 odds. This, however is a total rip-off since the reverse bet on France is at 1 to 100 (i.e., you have to bet $1,000 to make $10). While practically a sure thing, that's a pretty steep risk for a small payoff. Argentina and Brazil are provided a little more respect with their first round match-ups, probably because of their performance in Portugal, two years ago. It will be interesting to see, if the individual game match-up odds will show a little more respect as more tournament games are played.

First Round Game odds (Betandwin.com)

Croatia vs Argentina Croatia (1-33); Tie (15-1); Argentina (8.5-1)
Norway vs Brazil Norway (1-5); Tie 13-1; Brazil (3.5-1)
France vs Canada France (1-999); Tie (16-1); Canada (11-1)

To Win World Championship Odds (Centrebet.com)
FRANCE 3.5-1
CROATIA 4-1
DENMARK 4-1
RUSSIA 6.5-1
SPAIN 7-1
SWEDEN 9-1
GERMANY 11-1
SERBIA & MONTENEGRO 20-1
SLOVENIA 25-1
NORWAY 30-1
ICELAND 66-1
TUNISIA 66-1
CZECH REPUBLIC 100-1
EGYPT 100-1
GREECE 150-1
JAPAN 350-1
ALGERIA 500-1
ARGENTINA 500-1
BRAZIL 500-1
ANGOLA 1000-1
AUSTRALIA 2500-1
CANADA 2500-1
KUWAIT 2500-1
QATAR 2500-1