The moment of truth nears for Greek-Turkish bid
The decision on the country or countries that will host the 2008 European soccer championships will be made today at about 1.30 a.m. local time. Yesterday the bidders, including joint bidders Greece and Turkey, made their 15-minute presentations at the headquarters of European soccer federation UEFA, in Nyon, Switzerland, for the benefit of just eight people who will take part in the vote. Representatives of bidding countries do not vote. Only two countries – Hungary and Russia – submitted individual bids. The other joint bidders are Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina; Austria and Switzerland, lately touted as the favorites; Ireland and Scotland; and Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. «We did our best and we are absolutely satisfied,» said Haluk Ulusoy, president of Turkey’s soccer federation. His Greek counterpart, Vassilis Gagatsis, refused to be drawn into the bid’s chances but said that the presentation was totally satisfactory. Greece and Turkey emphasized the fact that they offer the biggest-capacity stadiums and their readiness to host a large number of visitors.
