| Poland Save William Hill from Paying Out £2m on Russia Win |
William Hill was thanking Poland this morning after the Euro 2012 hosts saved the leading UK bookmaker from having to pay out £2 million on a Russia win.A Russia win was set to be William Hill’s first £2 million liability of the tournament with such a high number of bets being placed in favour of the Russians who started their Euro 2012 campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Czech Republic.
It is estimated that over £1 million of the liability was through singles bets alone as punters bet on Russia fiercely with prices dropping from 7/5 to 23/20 on a Russia win. £500,000 of the liability was through accumulators placed by punters.
William Hill spokesperson Joe Crilly said “Blaszczykowski’s strike could not have been any sweeter. Not only because it was a wonder strike but because it saved us paying out a fortune as well.”
The draw might have done William Hill the world of good but it left Poland with a tough task to qualify for the Quarter Finals. The host nation now need to win against Czech Republic in the final game of the tournament. That means they are at odds of 5/4 not to qualify from Group A and also 7/1 to win Group A.
Russia might not have won the game last night but they are 1/10 not to qualify and 3/10 to finish as Group A winners as they go into their last group game against bottom placed Greece who lost 2-1 to Czech Republic last night.
Russia are still only 12/1 to win Euro 2012, down from 20/1, with Poland at 50/1, Czech Republic at 66/1 and Greece at 150/1.
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