Turkey in running to host Euro 2016
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 11, 2009 00:00
GENEVA - Turkey is among the four candidates who are in the running to host the European football championship in 2016.
Turkey is among the four candidates who are in the running to host the European football championship in 2016.
Individual bids from France, Italy and a joint proposal from Sweden-Norway were made alongside Turkey before the deadline of midnight on Monday.
UEFA said in a statement yesterday it would consider "any previous experience of relevant member associations, cities and venues in organizing multi-venue sports events" before confirming an official list of bidders in the next month.
Turkey would be hosting a European championship for the first time. Last year the Turkish government offered to host Euro 2012 if Poland and Ukraine were unable to meet their deadlines to complete preparations.
However, Turkey relies on its success in hosting the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, which will stage this year’s UEFA Cup final.
Candidates must then prepare a bid dossier by Feb. 15, 2010. UEFA's executive committee will choose the host in May 2010.
The timetable gives the 2016 host six years to prepare for the tournament - one more year than Poland and Ukraine have been granted in their troubled buildup to Euro 2012.
The 2016 tournament will feature 24 teams after UEFA decided last year to increase the field from 16.
UEFA requires the 2016 host to provide nine stadiums each holding at least 30,000 spectators. A 50,000-capacity stadium is needed for the final.
Each of the four bids intends to use the tournament as a catalyst for major investment in building and upgrading stadiums.
Stadium standards in France and Italy have fallen behind countries like England, Germany and Spain since France hosted the World Cup in 1998 and Italy staged it in 1990.
France hosted the Euros in 1984 when current UEFA president Michel Platini captained the home team. Italy staged the eight-team cup in 1980.
Italy vs France again
The bid competition between Italy and France will continue one of world football's most intense rivalries.
Italy beat France on penalties in the final of the 2006 World Cup. The two countries had to play through the same qualifying group to reach the Euro 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria. Italy then beat France in a group stage match to reach the quarterfinals.
Sweden hosted the Euros in 1992 when just four stadiums were needed. It was the last time only eight teams took part before the tournament was doubled in size to 16.
Norway has never hosted a European championship and has qualified only once in the history.
It was knocked out in the group stage of the 2000 tournament played in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Individual bids from France, Italy and a joint proposal from Sweden-Norway were made alongside Turkey before the deadline of midnight on Monday.
UEFA said in a statement yesterday it would consider "any previous experience of relevant member associations, cities and venues in organizing multi-venue sports events" before confirming an official list of bidders in the next month.
Turkey would be hosting a European championship for the first time. Last year the Turkish government offered to host Euro 2012 if Poland and Ukraine were unable to meet their deadlines to complete preparations.
However, Turkey relies on its success in hosting the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, which will stage this year’s UEFA Cup final.
Candidates must then prepare a bid dossier by Feb. 15, 2010. UEFA's executive committee will choose the host in May 2010.
The timetable gives the 2016 host six years to prepare for the tournament - one more year than Poland and Ukraine have been granted in their troubled buildup to Euro 2012.
The 2016 tournament will feature 24 teams after UEFA decided last year to increase the field from 16.
UEFA requires the 2016 host to provide nine stadiums each holding at least 30,000 spectators. A 50,000-capacity stadium is needed for the final.
Each of the four bids intends to use the tournament as a catalyst for major investment in building and upgrading stadiums.
Stadium standards in France and Italy have fallen behind countries like England, Germany and Spain since France hosted the World Cup in 1998 and Italy staged it in 1990.
France hosted the Euros in 1984 when current UEFA president Michel Platini captained the home team. Italy staged the eight-team cup in 1980.
Italy vs France again
The bid competition between Italy and France will continue one of world football's most intense rivalries.
Italy beat France on penalties in the final of the 2006 World Cup. The two countries had to play through the same qualifying group to reach the Euro 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria. Italy then beat France in a group stage match to reach the quarterfinals.
Sweden hosted the Euros in 1992 when just four stadiums were needed. It was the last time only eight teams took part before the tournament was doubled in size to 16.
Norway has never hosted a European championship and has qualified only once in the history.
It was knocked out in the group stage of the 2000 tournament played in the Netherlands and Belgium.