254 replies to this topic

[gotosy]

Georgia, Azerbaijan plan bid to co-host Euro 2020

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) -Georgia's president says his country plans to form a joint bid with neighboring Azerbaijan to co-host the 2020 European Championship.

President Mikhail Saakashvili made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing Azerbaijan's parliament.

Neither former Soviet nation has ever qualified for a major international football competition since gaining independence in 1991.

UEFA is likely to invite bids to host Euro 2020 early next year with a vote scheduled for May 2014.

Turkey has already expressed interest in hosting the competition.

Ukraine and Poland are co-hosting Euro 2012, which starts on June 8 with Poland playing Greece in Warsaw.

http://sportsillustr...0104/index.html

[tikus_kecil]

the 2020 games will be decided after the 2012 games, so the chance for any east european country to be the host will be based on what happen on poland - ukraine...

[Olympian2004]

Now that 24 teams (instead of 16) will play in the EURO from 2016 onwards, the demands for future EURO hosts will be even higher. So countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan with still underdeveloped infrastructure will have to take huge struggles to provide everything needed in time for their tournament.

So I think that in the future, the big countries with developed infrastructure have a huge advantage in the EURO races. And after the big adventure Poland/Ukraine, I don't see UEFA daring an even bigger adventure already eight years later.

[deawebo]

Turkey has a good chance (only if they don't win SOG 2020); Azerbaijan and Georgia for my taste need much more infrastructure and get a higher football level... What about Spain? I've heared they might bid too!

[kernowboy]

Under the new 24 team format, you need to provide 9 stadiums and I think an additional 3 stadiums in reserve unless you can absolutely guarantee those 9.

The capacities need to be:

2x 50,000 seats
3x 40,000 seats
4x 30,000 seats

but once you take into account VIP and press, the capacity minimum tends to be about 4,000 seats higher.

I think the winner of the 2020 Olympics could have an impact. If its Istanbul, Baku or Madrid, you'd think they'd struggle to host the tournament.

Those expected to bid include:

Georgia/Azerbaijan
Croatia/Bosnia/Serbia
Czech Rep / Slovakia
Romania/Bulgaria
Ireland/Scotland/Wales

with single bids from

Turkey
Germany
Netherlands
Belgium

For me Turkey are the favourites. If Istanbul is awarded 2020 then Germany look incredibly strong in the current economic climate wiith every stadium in place.

If Madrid aren't awarded 2020, I'd like to see a Spanish bid. They've only held the Euros once in 1964 when there were only 4 teams and they certainly have all the necessary stadiums. A potential bid could be:

Madrid Bernabeu - 80,354
Barcelona Nou Camp - 100,000
Valencia Nou Mestalla - 75,000
Sevilla La Cartuja - 57,580
Bilbao San Mames Barria - 53,000
Zaragoza La Romareda - 34,596
Elche - 38,750
Murcia - 31,179
La Coruna Riazor - 35,000

There are also extra stadiums in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville plus other new stadiums being built

[intoronto]

No way Georgia or Azerbaijan win. Both countries have two stadiums combined that can be used.

[Tulsa]

The bids depend SOG 2020. But if we imagine SOG in Japan or Doha, we could have :

- Turkey (like in 2016)
- Italia (like in 2016)
- Spain ?
- Bulgaria/ Romania ?
- Norway/ Sweden ?
- Irland/Wales/Scotland ? (Have you something about this bid? )
- Germany ?

The favorite will be Turkey, and second Italia... But maybe we will have a surprise.

[kernowboy]

The bids depend SOG 2020. But if we imagine SOG in Japan or Doha, we could have :

- Turkey (like in 2016)
- Italia (like in 2016)
- Spain ?
- Bulgaria/ Romania ?
- Norway/ Sweden ?
- Irland/Wales/Scotland ? (Have you something about this bid? )
- Germany ?

The favorite will be Turkey, and second Italia... But maybe we will have a surprise.

If Italy can't host the Olympics I'd be surprised if they host the Euro's

England might be a candidate - it would cost us nothing as all the stadia are already there.

Germany have never held the Euro's before (they were West Germany in 1988) whilst when Spain held it in 1964, there were only 4 teams. Again they've got everything in place.

[Tulsa]

If Italy can't host the Olympics I'd be surprised if they host the Euro's

England might be a candidate - it would cost us nothing as all the stadia are already there.

Germany have never held the Euro's before (they were West Germany in 1988) whilst when Spain held it in 1964, there were only 4 teams. Again they've got everything in place.

England hosted in 1996, It's too soon for a new bid... maybe around 2028-32. But yeah, Germany and Spain could be bid for 2020.

[deawebo]

I don't think Germany will try to bid, at least till 2028... they have good staddium infrsatructure but maybe by 2028 they'll need more... Italy is among my favorite choices, but the economic situation hmmm i don't think so, anyways Italy do needs to change their stadiums!!

Turkey is the clear frontrunner, but if they get 2020 SOG, then Spain will be a good choice, i will also support a norddic bid from Sweden and Norway