Euro-England v France game to set gambling records

(Reuters)

LISBON, June 11 (Reuters) - England's Euro 2004 opener against France has sent fans flooding to betting shops with British bookmakers Ladbrokes predicting it will be the biggest soccer match in gambling history.

The eagerly-awaited Group B game in Lisbon on Sunday is on course to attract 25 million pounds ($45.55 million) in stakes from all over the world.

Punters are expected to wager 300 million pounds during the three-week tournament.

"Euro 2004 will be the biggest betting event of all time," said Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush. "The interest in the France v England match is phenomenal, punters are piling in."

He said the match was attracting more interest than the England v Brazil 2002 World Cup quarter-final, which also broke the 20 million pounds barrier.

France are evens for victory with England 13-5 and the draw 15-8.

Money has also been pouring in on France's Thierry Henry to be the tournament's top goalscorer at odds of 11-2. The Netherlands, at 8-1, have tempted one punter to wager 20,000 pounds.