With only about a month left until the decision, there seems to be remarkably little discussion on these boards regarding this topic (or, maybe it's just on another board and I'm missing it). So, I guess the main question is, what to people think? You has the inside track to win the nod in December to host EURO 2008? Scotland/Ireland [http://www.euro2008bid.com/] Austria/Switzerland [http://www.austria.switzerland-euro2008.com/] The Nordic Countries [http://www.nordic2008.com/]
You should list all candidates: - Greece/Turkey - Switzerland/Austria - Norway/Sweden/Finland/Denmark - Hungary - Scotland/Ireland - Russia - Bosnia/Croatia Some weeks ago I read an article saying: - Bosnia/Croatia (rather tryout for 2012) and Scotland/Ireland (no guarantees for two capable stadiums in Ireland) hardly have any chance - Russia is the favourite if Putin promises to take control of everything - Austria/Switzerland have the best application with top stadiums (partially already built), great financial (Credit Suisse, Shell) and VIP (Schwarzenegger, Hingis) support ------ If it was just about the countries, I'd prefer Ireland/Scotland, but for the given reasons it is no alternative. Greece/Turkey, Hungary, Russia and Bosnia/Croatia leave doubts about financial security; the terrorist attack in Moscow some weeks ago might leave doubts about general security in Russia as well (though we don't have to speak about the other countries of the former East regarding this matter). The Scandinavian application is nice, but Sweden just had it in 1992. The best application really seems to speak for Switzerland/Austria, but they might suffer that they are too much linked with Germany, which hosts the WC two years earlier.
Austria has never hosted a major football tournament before and Switzerland hosted the World Cup as far back as in 1954. These are rather small and visitor friendly countries with short distances between all the venues. Great for travelling fans. The stadiums seem to be modern as well. These are also financially secure countries. It seems like the best bid. The Greece/Turkey bid seems interesting as well. They are my second choice. The Nordic bid is not good enough. Four countries hosting is a joke. Plus Sweden hosted in 1992. As Olafgb said, 2008 might be too early for some of the bids from Eastern Europe. --------------------- Has anyone got links to the other candidates websites?
Hope Austria/Swizterland get the nod, because that would mean Austria wouldn't have to subject itself to another humiliating qualifying campaign! More interesting VIP support for Austria/Switzerland: Ralf (AUT) and Michael (SUI) Schumacher!
I want Scotland and Ireland to get it. If a small country like Portugal can host it by itself then why do Turkey and Greece have to join together. I know why Scotland and Ireland have to join because their smaller than Portugal all the joint countries are small except for Turkey.
Sportboy, I don't think the size of the country is the only factor. It has a lot more to do with politics and economics. Turkey and Greece have been bitter rivals and enemies for hundreds of years. By joining together in a bid to host the Euro, they believe they can generate enough good will and positive headlines to get the nod. Portugal is a bad example, since there have been rumors that they won't get their stadia done on time and Spain will have to step in and help out.
Greece/Turkey - given their history and relations I don't think it would be a good idea for them to host a tournament together. Maybe one of them could host a future EC on their won. Switzerland/Austria - I think this would be one of the best choises. As has been said before both countries are fairly small making travel between matches easy. No political situations would be involved here either. Scandinavia - A good idea, but maybe too many countries to share the tournament with. Hungary - My second favourite choise. I couldn't see any problems with them. Scotland/Ireland - A nice idea but Ireland don't really have enough big stadiums. Russia - Not a favourite in my opinion. Bosnia/Croatia - Croatia are a good choise for hosting a tournament, but I'm not sure about Bosnia at all.
I dont know why the idea of Scotland/Wales never flew, stadiums in place for the most part unlike Ireland who ended up showing the delegates round a field where the stadium MIGHT be if they can get it funded. Insane. And its probably lost us it when it could easily have been ours.
Im not exactly sure, I think the requirement is 8 stadiums 6 of at least 30k and 2 of 50+ or something like that we have 4 50+ in Celtic park,Hampden,Castle greyskull and Murrayfield, pittodrie was doing to be upgraded and the dundee clubs were going to have a new stadium build they were going to share but we still needed 2 more, quickest soloution was joint hosting. I think thats how it went anyway, I think we could have gone it alone if wed shown a little ambition.
There was never any chance of Wales building a second stadium. Unless we were going to go alone, or borrow a couple of stadiums from northern England (eg Newcastle and Sunderland), then Ireland was the only realistic joint option. I think some people here are being overly dismissive of our bid. From the press reports it is a close second to the Austria/Swiss bid. I say this because the Austria/Swiss bid last week tried to remove the English judge from the panel. This is because they perceive that the English judge is likely to vote for us. I don't think they would be trying to remove the Englishman from the panel if they thought Scotland/Ireland didn't stand a chance of winning.
You guys shouldn't have gone with Ireland at all. Ireland just don't have the stadiums and the one 70000 capacity stadium that they do have is used for gaelic football and curling. The owners would most likely not want it to be used for football! Even though we had it in 96 Scotland would have been better off partnering with English stadiums up north(Liverpool, Manchester, Sunderland, Newcastle). Good luck anyway. It would be nice to have the EC in Scotland.
I have spent many years in Ireland-actually lived there for a spell also-but i never came across that sport, especially at croke park. Perhaps you mean the ancient Irish sport of Hurling
I think our bid is the best one and should win. We have it all: - 7 new stadiums (+Vienna) - The tourist infrastructure necessary. - Geographic central location, convenient for everyone. - We got the full support from the public as well as our governments. Hopp Schwiz!
The Swiss have made some nice contributions to the rest of the world. Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa, Swiss Cheese, Swiss Army Knives. Not bad for a small country.
Scotland did try to 'borrow' a couple of English stadiums but the FA, in extreme a bout of extreme short sightedness, said no.