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China Daily Website

Euro 2020 to be held in 13 cities

Updated: 2013-01-28 12:00
( Agencies)

Pot luck

Infantino said no teams would qualify automatically for the tournament, potentially meaning that some host nations would not be taking part.

Those host nations which did qualify would be guaranteed two home games in their group but it would be pot luck in the knockout stages. Each six-team group would include a maximum of two host nations.

The decision to stage the semifinals and final in the same venue takes the competition back to its early days when a four-team final stage was played. The full tournament format was started at the 1980 championship held in Italy.

The minimum stadium capacities would be 70,000 for the semifinals and final, 60,000 for the quarterfinals and 50,000 for the group stage and round of 16 matches, although two exceptions would be made where 30,000 capacity stadiums would be permitted.

"The 30,000 rule means that many more countries will be able to bid," said Platini.

"I tell them they should build," he added after being asked whether economic problems would discourage countries from bidding.

"It's an excellent business. A country which only has one stadium can welcome the euro and this a very good deal for many countries."

UEFA said countries would have to confirm their bids by September this year.

Euro 2020 marks the competition's 60th anniversary.

 

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