FriendBet's Blog

Friendbet is the first website where friends bet against each other, exactly like they would do in real life. They can also add comments and banters for any predictions and recall everyone who’s the daddy!

Friendbet is launching this week its semi-public beta version and looking for qualified beta testers as well as journalists. One condition only : you have to be a british resident...

Eighteen years after the World Cup in 1998 and thirty-two years after Euro 1984, France has been designated Friday in Geneva by the UEFA Executive Comittee, to host the Euro 2016. The French bid beat its Turkish and Italian rivals. It is both a great reward, and a great promise for the future of French football.

Michel Platini remained speechless when announcing that France would organize the Euro 2016. Indeed, the French President of UEFA had a hard time pronouncing the name of his country, probably remembering that he was himself lifting the trophy as captain the last time the Euro had been organized in France in 1984.

Yet, this result is not surprising. We all knew that the French bid was well placed, with a big issue in terms of capacity and infrastructure, communication and transportation. After the uncertainties related to the readiness of Ukraine for the 2012 edition co-hosted with Poland, UEFA wanted to play safety for the first Euro with 24 teams participating.

This has however been very tight since the French case has forestalled the Turkish candidacy with only one voice on the 13 expressed by members of the executive committee of UEFA. Needless to recall that the French case had also a weakness that will need to be changed: the antiquated stadium. Eight stadiums are to be renovated and 4 will be built from scratch, for a total investment of 1 billion 700 million euros. A lot of work for France, which has six years to prepare.

It is always difficult to estimate the financial impact of such an event but the Euro should at least be able to generate 15,000 jobs, according to the FFF, and 4000 other sustainable position to ensure the functioning of the new stadiums.

ABIO CAPELLO has finally announced on Tuesday June 1 the 23 players’ names he will take to this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Seven unlucky stars, who had made the England boss' 30-man provisional squad, were told they were not included today.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott omission from the coach Fabio Capello roster was quite surprised. The 21-year-old Walcott, who has won 11 caps, would have been the youngest member of the party.

He was definitely the most high-profile omission with Darren Bent, Adam Johnson, Leighton Baines, Scott Parker, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson that are also misssing out.

England football fans were surprised by this decision and were wondering why Fabio Capello has not included some best players in the list of England World Cup squad.

Gareth Barry is on the plane despite a troublesome ankle injury, which is likely to rule him out of England's opener against USA on June 12.

England squad left today for South Africa, where FIFA World Cup 2010 is schedule to play from June 11 to July 11. England is in Group C with United States, Algeria and Slovenia. The English team will kick off World Cup 2010 against United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

So here is the list of England's 23-man World Cup squad:

Keepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Strikers: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

The electronics' company Saturn is willing to risk having to give TVs bought before Mai 17 for free, if the French Team wins the World Cup.

The company even contracted a special kind of insurance to insure itself against that risk. The amount paid for that unusual insurance is however unknown. Cynics will argue that it must not be too high, given the chances the French team has of winning... However should the french national team win the world cup, Saturn will pay all its customers that bought a TV before Mai 17 back the worth of their purchase.

So if the french team wins, some people might have two causes to party : the World Cup title for their favorite team and a free TV !!

This type of promotional betting is not unheard of and comes in a period of high sales. Mars organized a freezing bet in 2003 and was willing to refund up to 50euros of ice cream bought between Mai and August should the temperature rise to 31C in Paris on August 31.

Before the world cup, TV sales generally rise 20% to 50% so it is a perfect time for manufacturers and distributors to promote their products. Carrefour actually followed Saturn's example by offering it's TV bought from Mai 7 to Mai 25 should the french team win or a 50% refund should they arrive in semi-finals. Seems that according to TV manufacturers and distributors, the french team has little chance to win the cup this year...

So if you want to bet against Saturn or Carrefour and support the French team, you just have to risk it and buy a TV, chances are you will be happy with your purchase and will be able to watch the games whatever the result of the World Cup. Bets are on...