Betfair, an online betting emporium, received only $51 of wagers on the United States winning the Confederations Cup in South Africa, at 999-to-1 odds. That means that for every $1 bet, the bettor will make out with $999 if the United States should beat Brazil on Sunday. The prospects of the United States winning the tournament never engendered much confidence – especially after two first-round defeats in which the American team played poorly. But don't look now … on Sunday the United States will face Brazil, mighty Brazil, in the final in Johannesburg after the seleção left it until late in defeating the host South Africa by 1-0.
According to Betfair, the United States was a long shot 699-to-1 reach the semifinals, which the American team managed to do by beating Egypt, 3-0, last Sunday while Brazil beat Italy by the same score. The United States advanced because it scored more goals (the second tiebreaker) than Italy. Then the American team shocked No. 1-ranked Spain by 2-0 in the semifinals on Wednesday. "There are sure to be some Betfair bettors praying for a U.S. victory," Tony Calvin, a company spokesman said in a statement. "With the small matter of $51,000 to be won if they do."