Hosts departure cheers bookies

Germany`s 2-0 extra time loss to Italy in the World Cup semi-finals was good news for the bookies as the hosts were the best backed of the remaining teams in the competition. Italy are now 1.83 (5/6) favourites to go on and win the competition.

After an entertaining match which belied the 0-0 scoreline after 90 minutes, it seemed as though the tie was almost guaranteed to go to penalties. More than $70,000 was matched at odds of 1.01 (1/99) on under 1.5 goals in extra time before the Azzurri managed two goals in three minutes.

Germany had been the 2.75 (7/4) favourites to win the World Cup with four teams left waiting to play the semi-finals.

Bookies have relatively small liabilities on Italy as many bettors left them alone in the run up to the competition because of the series of scandals engulfing Serie A in general and Juventus in particular. But the Italian team has grown in confidence throughout the World Cup and now look like a very tough side to beat in the final on July 9.