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| | Thursday, 12 December, 2002, 13:55 GMT Will Euro 2008 be a success?  Scotland and Ireland miss out to Austria and Switzerland to host Euro 2008. Do you think they can make a success of the tournament? Austria and Switzerland will jointly host Euro 2008 after Uefa decided that their bid was the best of the seven contenders. Austria narrowly missed out on hosting Euro 2004 after a joint bid with Hungary. But this time their proposal with Switzerland was accepted after they pledged seamless organisation, security, and easy access for fans from around Europe. However, the news is a massive blow for those behind the joint Scotland and Republic of Ireland bid. What is your reaction to the news? This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below. I agree with Sal, Scotland. Where was the government support? If England had bid for this, Tony Blair would have been doing keepy-ups outside Number 10 for the cameras.
In reply to Nick Toye, UK. Do I detect a hint of sour grapes? Switzerland is not a football outpost. It's in the geographical centre of Europe. The "outposts" are Scotland and Ireland. On top of that, Switzerland's infrastructure makes Scotland look like a basket case. The right decision was made. In response to Chris Main in Bahrain. Firstly, the organisation that you choose to berate is called the Gaelic Athetic Association. Secondly, the rule is not anti-English. Yes, it is a bad rule, and one of many that the GAA has had over the years. The rule if anything has hurt Irish people playing other sports, rather than any English person I'm sure. The manner the GAA chooses to protect unique Irish sports in the face of global sports such as soccer and rugby, is their business. I wonder if the London GAA asked to play hurling at Lords would they be allowed to do so - I imagine not!? It didn't matter that Ireland's stadiums weren't built; Hungary were second choice with hardly anything to offer either, Germany were given the World Cup in 2006 without naming the host cities, and Portugal have had their problems in providing stadium funding.
It didn't matter that a stretch of sea separated Scotland and Ireland; water separated Denmark and Sweden in 1992 and they hosted the tournament. It didn't matter that England hosted the tournament in 1996 and so meant Scotland and Ireland couldn't have it; the world's two largest soccer tournaments will be held by three neighbouring countries in 2006 and 2008. Nor, as it turned out, did it matter that the successful bidders of Austria and Switzerland have had much-publicised hooligan problems this year. The bid selection process, and the final decision as to who the winner should be, was influenced by political considerations. All the stadium seats that Ireland and Scotland could have provided didn't matter a damn! It was no one's fault in Scotland and Ireland!! It would have been a great boost to Scottish football to host the tournament. The shortage of players of international quality coming through has not only damaged the national team but has been a great loss to English club football as well. If the national team does not improve then the Scots will find future bids scuppered as well. The Swiss have invested heavily on developing their young players and are now getting success in youth tournaments and have a fast improving senior team. Scotland needs to start by sorting out its youth policy, improving the senior team and then it might have a chance of hosting future tournaments.
Of course I'm disappointed that the Celtic countries didn't get it but I'd like to congratulate Austria and Switzerland. I'm looking forward to a very successful Euro 2008. Hopefully the Scots and Irish can qualify so that the green and tartan armies can come over and party with you. The Scotland/Eire bid was never a winner. As a Scot I think we are trying to run before we could walk - I think devolution has gone to our heads a bit. I would have been as proud as punch to see the finals in Scotland but I fear our geography allows too few venue locations to satisfy the Uefa blazers. Anyway, the Scots and Irish are welcome visitors around the world - we would hopefully have been great hosts but we know for sure we are the world's greatest ambassadors. To Richard of Austria, your comment referring to bigotry was a cheap one, especially coming from a country that voted fascists into Government in the not too distant past. In light of the "Alpine" bid winning hosting Euro 2008, maybe Scotland should apply to host the "Winter Olympics". As an ex-pat Scot living in Australia it would have been great to see a major sporting event going north of the border. Having seen our English neighbours deliver an excellent Euro '96 it would have been hard to see Ireland/Scotland host as good a tournament. The Scots should now put all their effort into seeing a UK city host the Olympic Games which caters for many sports, not just one.
If you think that the Euro 2008 will be a failure - look no further than Euro 2004 in Portugal! Just be thankful that the Swiss and Austrians have a solid infrastructure in place! Oh well Scotland and Ireland, there's always 2016! Korea and Japan proved that you don't need to be a football giant to host the competition. It'll be a pleasure to visit the Euro 2008 tournament now in Austria/Switzerland. This had to be the last chance for many tournaments that the smaller nations can host the European Championships. The big six European nations will now win the next two or three bids up till 2020. It's disappointing that the GAA could scupper the Scots/Irish bid so easily after all the money they received for Croke Park. Perhaps a joint bid with Wales is the way the Scots should go in 2012? The Scots should not be too disheartened, next time they apply though; they should stick with Wales as their partner. The rebirth of the Welsh national team has dispelled the argument that they're not good enough to play in the finals of a tournament and going for Euro 2012 will only enhance interest in football in Wales even more. More importantly however, by the time 2012 rolls around, unlike Ireland this time; Wales will have three stadia built and not all in one city. If the Irish factor really was decisive in losing out on the bid for 2008, then having Wales as Scotland's partner should rectify those shortcomings.
I have no doubt the finals will be well run and efficient; let's face it they will have had two years longer to plan it than any of the rest of the bidders. This stinks as highly as when the Germans were awarded the World Cup ahead of South Africa. The reason behind the bid failing must lie firmly and squarely with the Irish Gaelic Football Association who would not allow Croke Park to be used for any 'foreign' sports - namely English! I think it is time to move on from narrow minded nationalism and blatant racism! It will be a great tournament. After seeing the recent 'Old Firm' game, I was shocked to see that the lunacy from Northern Ireland also happens in Scotland too. This alone justifies not winning this bid. The Austria/Switzerland bid was the best choice for the supporters. Getting between Scotland and Ireland is not that easy, where as travelling between Austria and Switzerland is just a short train journey. Scotland should look at a solo bid for 2012 but only if Uefa drop this need for eight stadia when six would be enough. As an Englishman living in Switzerland I am delighted at the news of jointly hosting the Euro 2008. For Nick's comments on Switzerland being an 'outpost' I am assuming he has not looked at the map since being born as Switzerland is placed smack in the middle of Europe. Switzerland also has one of the world's best transportation networks, an extremely efficient police force, and is open to people from all over Europe visiting and enjoying what I am sure will be a very successful tournament. Now I just have to hope England qualify.
Same old story - the organisers of the bid would have us believe that it was Scotland's destiny to host 2008. The reality is that Scotland crashed out again before the second round due to some fairly naive mistakes. I read on Ceefax that the main reasons the Austria/Switzerland bid was successful was due to the excellent transport links and hotels!! What a joke. Tournament destinations are increasingly given to countries based upon their suitability for the elite of the governing body's to shop and have a comfortable 'vacation'. Could you really have seen Lennart Johansen and his cronies plumping for the delights of Glasgow and Dublin (two cities I hold great regard for) over the palatial surroundings of Geneva and Vienna? Not a chance! I am glad that there was a worthy winner in Austria and Switzerland. However, it seems apparent that it was not a level playing field. For Uefa to suggest that having three category 'A' stadiums capable of hosting European finals in one city was a drawback, is an absurdity. I also think Scotland would have had a better chance mounting a solo bid with the support of all the UK's partners including the Prime Minister Tony Blair. Without his public support, Scotland were political lightweights in comparison to their competitors. I think future British bids for major sporting events would benefit from learning the lesson of the necessity of strong government backing, which have the political clout to back up their promises. I'm not surprised by the outcome of the Euro 2008 bid. Unfortunately I think that at the end of the day Ireland let the side down. They simply could not deliver the goods. I am Irish and very proud to be but between the GAA and FAI they have a lot to answer for. I've lived in both Austria and Switzerland and they are countries whose economies benefit hugely from tourism (summer and winter), so have no fear that foreigners won't be welcome - you'll be treated like kings. I just hope that our visitors treat their hosts with the same respect - enjoy the cities, enjoy the lakes and enjoy the mountains. As a Brit resident in Switzerland, Euro 2008 will be well organised, efficient and family event. As long as the prices are not too high, it will be one of the best tournaments.
Well done Austria, and Switzerland. I wish you all the success in holding the event. I must add I feel sorry for Scotland in the effort they put in getting the bid this far. There's no reason why it can't work, Austria and Switzerland are attractive countries, and haven't hosted a football tournament before, so there will be an extra effort to make it work. The Scotland and Ireland bid was really hampered by the Irish not sorting out the stadiums. It's a shame, as it was a good bid. I think the passion that the Scots and the Irish have for football would have made the event special. A lot of respect for the Swiss-Austrian bid, beautiful countries, but is the passion for football acknowledged there. Euro '96 had the greatest atmosphere of all the recent euro championships. I think the Scottish-Irish bid would have rivalled that atmosphere. Speaking as an ex-pat Scot living in Switzerland I'm happy that Switzerland (along with Austria) finally get to host some world class football tournament. However, I feel that certain comments in the Swiss press about Scotland & Irelands hooligan problem were totally unfounded and designed to influence people and as for Richard from Austria's comments about bigotry in Scotland & Ireland (it's not Northern Ireland Richard).....!! I'm pleased for the Swiss and the Austrians. The tournament should be a success as long as Uefa keep the ticket prices low enough to ensure big crowds at all the matches.
Mike, Austria Every nation should have the opportunity once, in partnership or alone, to host the competiton, provided they have the infrastructure. The Euro championship is much more than just a sport event. Plus, Switzerland and Austria are geographically the heart of Europe, what better place for the Euro 2008? Scotland were well positioned until they gave in to insecurity and got mixed up with the Irish. Ireland is a great country and they would have made great hosts, but they were so disorganised they let the bid down. Scotland MUST try again in 2012. However, unless Ireland are sorted by then, we should either go it alone or take on board our other celtic neighbours - Wales! I am gutted that we didn't get Euro 2008. I hope that the SFA considers going it alone for 2012 or going again with Ireland. The winners had to try three times before they won and this is a prize worth getting. It was all a waste of time and money! Scotland has no standing within Uefa, and they weren't going to bring the tournament back to the British Isles so soon after Euro '96. The SFA should have put the cash into grass roots development and improved the dismal state of the game in Scotland at the moment! With no border controls to stop English hooligans travelling, the Irish-Scottish bid would have been a disaster Yes, I do believe it will be a success. But I don't agree with the reasons for the choice. It is not only the high standards of the venues or the geographical position of the country that matter. These championships should be a chance for other countries to enhance their venues and facilities and develop their football potential. Wonderful news. I have visited both countries on many occasions (for business and pleasure)and have always been treated warmly with courtesy and respect by the people of both countries. I eagerly look forward to making my travel plans and will hopefully tack on a few days for hiking in the Alps. Better luck next time Ireland and Scotland, don't be dispirited. I'm upset that Scotland/Ireland lost the bid, especially after such a great Champions League final last year. Its a shame that the Irish stadium situation couldn't be improved. With a firm 'yes' to Bertie's Bowl we would have won. Has Nick forgotten that a Swiss team beat Liverpool? The tournament will be a great success, with tourist-friendly hosts and a welcome to all, without bigotry. Whilst I'm sure it will be a success, it's disappointing that the powers that be have decided to hold this competition next door to the country which will hold the next World Cup. I also don't feel there has been enough support from the government to bring this competition (and the income and publicity it generates)to this country. Joint bids should always be placed behind single-country bids. There are enough countries in Europe who could host this event singly, so why does it have to been a joint bid that wins? In response to Nick, above: a joint bid allows countries that otherwise might not be able to organize a Euro by themselves. Like this, the Euro can benefit everyone, not just the usual handful of countries who already organized the tournament plenty of times. Also, a joint bid is a chance for countries who in the past may not have gotten along very well (i.e. Greece and Turkey) to revive their relationship, much like World Cup 2002 did for Korea and Japan. And as for 2008: full confidence in Austria/Switzerland to do a good job. At least it won't be worse than Portugal in 2004. In Austria, we are very grateful for the attention our football will receive. Football will improve in our country, so will the stadia and the passion of the fans which is a bit low today. Ireland's stadia problems were the key factor, I guess. Such an event would have suited them and Scotland as well as us, so I hope that those two will qualify alongside England. And bear in mind there is a bunch of excellent Irish Pubs in Vienna, given that fact, even Roy Keane should be motivated to visit our country ! I'm sure it will be a success but Scotland/Ireland shouldn't feel too upset at losing as UEFA/FIFA are a law unto themselves. It's a joke that these football outposts are being considered for hosting the Euro 2008 championships. Frankly the Faroe Islands would have been a better choice. | |
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