Another late rally for Europe keeps it close

Golf Betting Lines

09/15/2007 - Halmstad, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 18th hole doomed the Americans.

Two European teams won the 18th hole to earn crucial halves in the first two matches of Saturday's foursomes matches at the Solheim Cup.

In the foursomes, each team won two points, but the U.S. leads the overall competition, 6 1/2 - 5 1/2.

Maria Hjorth and Gwladys Nocera overcame a 2-down deficit with three to play to earn a halve against Sherri Steinhauer and Laura Diaz.

Sophie Gustafson rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the last to claw out a halve for herself and Suzann Pettersen against the U.S. pair of Juli Inkster and Paula Creamer.

"We're still leading," noted Inkster. "We have to play a good best-ball this afternoon."

In the anchor match, the U.S. side of Cristie Kerr and Nicole Castrale threw a furious comeback at the duo of Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew, but came up just short.

The Europeans had a 5-up lead with six to play, but Kerr and Castrale took it to the final hole.

With the U.S. 1-down, Kerr hit her approach to 15 feet at the 18th. The European side came up short with its second, but Sorenstam lagged up to three feet.

Castrale missed the birdie putt, then Matthew converted to give the team the 1-up victory.

Pat Hurst and Angela Stanford notched the Americans a full point with a 4 & 2 win over Iben Tinning and Bettina Hauert, who saw her first action in a Solheim Cup.

The start of the foursomes was delayed over two hours due to heavy winds. The gusts, measured at 40 mph, knocked over tents, fences and trees, and stayed up throughout the session.

With the delay, and the slow pace of play due to the format, Saturday afternoon's fourballs matches will not be completed Saturday. They will need to be completed Sunday morning, followed by the 12 singles matches.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.