OK, I'll keep this as brief as possible. Last Saturday, to celebrate a rendevous with some old friends and the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona, I opened an online betting account (the clue is in the title with regards to the company I've sold my soul to).

Over the course of the weekend I'd deposited £25 and through a series of bets involving the aforementioned game and the League One play-off final, I'd managed to recoup £22.50.

So I'm £2.50 down and anxious to claw it back. I must have mug tattooed on my forehead as they probably say in a Guy Ritchie film.

I don't need to elaborate at this point but I have pretty average luck as a punter. But I'm cheesed off. I want that £2.50. Bad.

I've deposited a further £10 with the aim of reaching an account balance of £12.50 to get back my second load and the remaining precious funds to 'break even'. I'm eager to beat the bookie.

My challenge started off yesterday (today?) with mixed results. The Miami Heat spunked a 15-point lead to hand the second game of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals series to their revitalised opponents, the Dallas Mavericks.

Thankfully, Argentina's Velez Sarsfield got me back on track with a narrow 2-1 win over Uruguayan side Penarol, who went through on away goals to the Copa Libertadores final.

Cue the Epsom Derby and Euro 2012 qualifying. I've plumped for Recital with an each-way bet at 5/1. The poor bugger doesn't even know who his rider will be as jockey Kieron Fallon awaits the outcome of an appeal hearing brought by owner Ibrahim Araci who claims the Irishman had already agreed to ride his horse, Native Khan, in the showpiece race. The decision is expected to be announced at around 9am tomorrow.

Anyhoo, this evening Italy, Germany (just!) and in-play bets on Liechtenstein (albeit at 2-0 up), and a Croatia turnaround conjoured valuable winnings. Alas, nervy in-play stabs at Lithuania, Georgia and Austria to snatch draws offset my success.

I've stuck 30p on LA Galaxy to do the business against DC United early tomorrow morning (UK time), Montenegro to beat Bulgaria and for both teams NOT to score in the England v Switzerland game. The latter has me slightly anxious as the Swiss may go all-out at Wembley to salvage something from their qualifying campaign.

Follow me in my quest to reach the magic £12.50 mark and feel free to leave any tips you think I might find helpful!

Twitter: @williwycombe

Current balance: £6.64