Wayne Mardle: England should beat Japan in Quarter Finals but Belgium are the real threat

"Finland v Germany will be close, but I can see Jani Haavisto being the deciding factor.

Back Finland to beat Germany at 2.01/1

Wayne Mardle predicts an easy win for England against Japan, but thinks Belgium are the pair to look out for.

Well, what a day of darts yesterday! In what was a complete surprise to me and many others, five of the eight seeds went tumbling in the second round. It really did show what I touched on in my first column, namely that, in this short format, you're never far away from a shock or two.

Today is quarter final day and the format will now change slightly: We'll now see two singles matches (best of seven legs) and then a deciding pairs match if needed.

This new format will play into the hands of the English, in my view. They step up to the oche to face Japan in a game I think they'll win 2-0. Japan are as big as 13.5n/a to cause an upset but I just can't see that happening.

Similar to the England v Japan game, Spain against Wales is another game in which the format means the favourites will emerge victorious. If it was just a pairs setup Spain may well have been a threat, but Wales will be too strong and should also emerge 2-0 winners. Wales are currently 1.330/100 to record a win.

Finland face hosts Germany in their quarter final and will also of course have the obstacle of a home crowd to contend with. This one will be close but I can see Jani Haavisto being the deciding factor here. He's done the damage for Finland when needed and a bit of magic from him should see the Finns through.

First up though we've got Belgium taking on Croatia. The Belgians destroyed the Australians in the last round with a 101 average, the highest of the competition so far. Croatia have done well but this is where the tournament will end for them. 

And one thing's for sure, the Huybrechts brothers from Belgium are a real threat to win the whole tournament.

Recommended Bet

Finland to beat Germany @ 2.01/1

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Betfair withdraws Kettering sponsorship after expulsion threat

Non-league / Joe Dyer / 30 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kettering will not be wearing the retro kit after the Conference Premier and Blue Square issued the club with a 'stark ultimatum'

"Our intention was to make a donation and raise awareness of their plight. We feel as though we’ve done that."
Betfair's Alex Bake

Kettering Town won't be wearing a one-off retro seventies kit made especially by Betfair on Saturday after all. Here's why...

Betfair have regrettably withdrawn their one-off shirt sponsorship of Kettering Town FC after the cash-strapped club were threatened with expulsion from the Conference Premier following a challenge by league sponsors Blue Square.

However, Betfair will keep their word and make the full five-figure donation in a show of good faith.

The club, in dire need of a cash injection to avoid going out of business, had agreed to play Saturday's game against Stockport County in a kit specially designed by Betfair. The 1976 inspired strip was to mark the Poppies' pioneering status as the first UK club to carry a shirt sponsor.

On Thursday afternoon Blue Square, in conjunction with the Conference Premier, issued the club with a stark ultimatum - wear the shirts and be kicked out of the division. The move by the league sponsors echoes the problems faced by the club in 1976 when the FA ordered them to remove their first sponsor Kettering Tyres.

The fans are also set to miss out as season ticket holders were due to receive a rebate to attend the match for just £1 - the cost of entry in 1976.

Betfair's Alex Bake said: "Our intention was to make a donation and raise awareness of their plight. We feel as though we've done that.

"I'm surprised that the league sponsors have taken such an aggressive stance given that we're trying to ensure the survival of one of their teams. We've agreed to make the donation in full regardless of Saturday's activity."

Kettering Town acting Chairman George Rolls said: "It's frustrating that we've had to pull the sponsorship. On behalf of everyone at Kettering Town I'd like to thank Betfair for their generous donation."

Way back in the 70s Kettering Town were the first English club to adopt a shirt sponsor, so to celebrate the fact that Betfair will be the club's shirt sponsors this weekend we asked 70s crooner Alex Lee to tell...

Sponsorship is a great source of revenue for football clubs and players these days which is why Betfair have agreed a one-off money-spinning shirt deal with Kettering Town. Here Mike Norman takes a look at some of the best and...

Betfair shows solidarity for Kettering Town with one-off, money-spinning shirt sponsorship...

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