127 replies to this topic

[faster]

ñuto, on Oct 24 2008, 03:23 PM, said:

Al-Andalus finished in 1492 (2 January) with the christian victory in Granada after 800 years of war for recover our country...is "La Reconquista" (The Reconquest).

I think Portugal should be thrown a bone to have a chance to host, or help host. Especially after the great Euro they hosted.

[Filipe_Golias]

arwebb, on Dec 23 2008, 10:57 PM, said:

It's an interesting idea, but I don't see why Spain don't just go it alone.

You and many Spanish as well, for what I've read. It's obvious for everyone that Spain can do it alone. It did 26 years ago when it had way less resources and shiny infrastructures, it surely can do it in 10 years time.

I don't know... England is the bid to beat, and a tough one. Perhaps, RFEF thinks that they if they go alone, the race will be decided by "who hosted the furthest back?". With Portugal -- a small country that never hosted a World Cup (and doesn't see itself hosting one on its own in the far future) but successfully staged a European C'ship -- they can give an original touch to the bid. Also, Portugal would add their three 5-star UEFA stadiums to Spain's five (and more to come, soon), making one heck of a venue list. Then there's the Brazilian FIFA EXCO member who would support a bid involving Portugal...

Just guesses to why, RFEF did not go for the obvious path...

[arwebb]

But, with the greatest of respect to Portugal and the best will in the world, any Iberian bid is going to be incredibly lopsided. Apart from the existing venues in Lisbon and Oporto I just can't see where any other suitable venues are going to come from, particularly when you consider the number of stadia that Spain could bring to the table on its own.

Moreover, if the organisers decided they wanted both Lisbon's stadia, that would mean they couldn't use either a second stadium in Madrid or Barcelona. It's the same problem that we have in not being able to use two grounds in Manchester or Liverpool if we want two in London. Not just that, but you'd have to assume that the Estadio de Luz would have to be given a major game, perhaps even a semi-final. Without major expansion, is it really logical to give Lisbon a semi-final over places like Valencia or Barcelona? I wouldn't have thought so.

The more I think about it, the more I think this proposal is very similar, and has very similar flaws, to the joint Scotland-Ireland bid for Euro 2008. It may have been conceived in good faith and for good reason, but I just can't see how it can work.

[faster]

Its fairly simple actually

Final in Madrid, Semi-finals in Barcelona and Lisbon and 3rd place in Valencia.

Spain has enough stadiums at 40,000 in enough cities to only require 1 venue from Barcelona and Madrid.

And I honestly don't think Portugal would care too much that they only get 2 of 6 groups instead of a 4, 4 split because they will be happy that they are hosting the tournament at all. If its 4 venues in Portugal and 8 in Spain so be it.

[arwebb]

But that's precisely the same format which Scotland and Ireland proposed for Euro 2008 and was roundly criticised.

[Filipe_Golias]

Indeed it will always be a lopsided plan. But even so, perhaps RFEF is trusting they'll have a bit more of a chance this way, than by going all alone against England...

[cslopes54]

So bid confirmed.. Portugal-Spain 2018!

[arwebb]

The detail of the bid will be very interesting.

[latinthug23]

Im wondering how the joint bid will work. Spain far outweighs portugal with regards to stadium size. However portugueses stadiums are much newer and more modern. The spanish media report that spain will host with 8 stadiums and portugal 4.

FIFA wants the bid to be as equal as possible. So if the majority of stadiums are in Spain, then FIFA will criticise it as being unfavourable towards portugal. There are examples of this in other previous joint world cup/euro champ bids, where bids were disregarded because of this.

SO a minimum of 12 stadiums are required. Could it be split as 6 in portugal and 6 in spain?

Portugal does have a lot of modern stadiums. Infact 8 were newly built + 2 partially rebuilt for the Euro 2004. However most of them have a capacity of 30,000. FIFA stated that for the world cup a minimum of 40,000 is required.

If thats so only 3 staduims meet that right now:

Lisbon : Alvalade : 52,000 Luz : 65,000
Porto : Dragao : 52,000

All 3 are awarded as 4 or 5 star by FIFA.

Some stadiums could be upgraded to 40,000

Coimbra : the country's 3rd city. Stadium was partly expanded for euro 2004. 30,000.

Braga: Seating is on two sides, a third side is a hill and the fourth is empty so expansion possible. 30,000 at present

Faro : In the Algarve, this stadium can easily be expanded. 33,000 as present. Favourable because of transport links and tourism.

Leiria and Aveiro have probably the most colourful stadiums in the world but not sure if they can be expanded.

have a look -stadiums


what do you think??

[arwebb]

Six grounds in Portugal and six in Spain would certainly make for a better balanced bid, but then you will be leaving out larger Spanish grounds for smaller Portuguese ones. It just seems unnecessary to me.