Thirteen countries have formally expressed an interest in hosting the 2008 European football championships, most of them as co-hosts in groups of two to four countries, UEFA announced today.
European football's governing body said in a statement Scotland was considering teaming up with Ireland, leaving Hungary as the only European footballing nation offering to hold Euro 2008 on its own.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have joined forces with an unprecedented four-country offer called "Nordic 2008".
UEFA said three of the preliminary bidders followed the example set by the Euro 2000 tournament, which was jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, to set up pairings of neighbouring countries.
They are Austria and Switzerland, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, as well as Greece and Turkey.
"UEFA has now received letters from six potential host country organisations for Euro 2008," spokesman Mike Lee said.
"So far we are very pleased with the level of interest shown in hosting Euro 2008 and it is clear that it will be a competitive bidding process," he added.
After registering their formal interest by Tuesday's deadline, bidders will have to confirm their offer to UEFA by February 2002 once they receive more detailed conditions on Euro 2008.
A final choice will be made by UEFA in December 2002 after a review and inspection trips to the countries.
AFP