Klinsmann named as favorite to be top scorer at Euro '96

LONDON (UPI): German striker Juergen Klinsmann has been named as favorite to be top scorer at the European soccer championships, even though he is suspended for Germany's first game.

British firm Ladbrokes, the official Euro 96 bookmaker, makes the German skipper a clear 9-2 favorite.

"That's a very strong indication of the talent of the man and the experience he has," said former Everton striker Bob Latchford, a Ladbrokes football marketing manager. "Klinsmann is out on his own at the moment."

The rankings make pretty sorry reading for host nation England, with Alan Shearer, who has not scored in 12 successive internationals, down in joint sixth spot -- a 12-1 shot alongside Bulgaria's Hristo Stoichkov, Davor Suker of Croatia and Italy's Gianfranco Zola.

Shearer's strike rival Les Ferdinand is 50-1 along with Teddy Sheringham. Liverpool ace Robbie Fowler is 66-1.

Latchford added: "There are so many talented players who are not even on the list who could finish up top scorer, but Klinsmann will take some beating.

"He knows all about the England scene and he'll have quite a bit of neutral support in betting terms as could Dennis Bergkamp, another Premiership-based player." Arsenal marksman Bergkamp, of Holland, is 10-1 along with another German Oliver Bierhoff.

Bergkamp's Dutch colleague Patrick Kluivert is second favorite at 5-1 followed by Italy's Fabrizio Ravanelli at 8-1.

Leading odds: 9-2 Klinsmann (Ger), 5-1 Kluivert (Ned), 8-1 Ravanelli (Ita), 10-1 Bierhoff (Ger), Bergkamp (Ned), 12-1 Stoichkov (Bul), Suker (Cro), Shearer (Eng), Zola (Ita), 14-1 Chiesa (Ita), Djorkaeff (Fra), 20-1 Del Piero (Ita).