Ireland has met Euro 2008 requirements, says Lyons

IRELAND has delivered on all their requirements in spectacular fashion, the Scottish Irish Euro 2008 bid marketing director Simon Lyons said on the eve of the decisive presentation.

Lyons believes votes can still be won over the next 48 hours as the bid team will offer their official presentation to UEFA as the last of the seven candidates this evening ahead of the final announcement tomorrow.

The team are now in Switzerland ahead of the announcement with canvassing still uppermost in their minds as they attempt to bring the event to Scotland and Ireland after 18 months developing the bid.

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor has joined Lyons and John Henderson in Geneva with Des Casey and a team of FAI officials also in the country.

"Ireland has certainly delivered everything that was asked of them and everything that was required," Lyons said yesterday. "We are more than happy in that regard," he added. "The video display today will feature a strong Irish angle, including footage of their wonderful fans and goals from tournaments like the World Cup."

But, while Lyons concedes there may be an element of political voting, he is adamant the majority of the UEFA delegates will go into the decision with an "open mind".

Lyons added: "We are up against some pretty tough competition and the decision is not just a straight-forward 'merited' one.

"It involves politics as well which is much harder to read. But we believe we have a very strong case on paper and on merit.

"People have their political views and perceptions but it is whether those are strong. "Very few will have made up their mind before the presentation.

"They will go into that presentation with a very open mind very few of the delegates will have buttoned down their decision before then. But let's see what happens.

"We are all quietly confident. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said last week that the candidates should have most of the facilities in place by now and we have.

"Our bid document is very strong and there isn't a need for us to do too much more."

But Lyons admits he is feeling "anxious" after 16 months spearheading the bid alongside former civil servant John Henderson.

Lyons' own background, as a marketing guru did not offer him an insight into the emotions he would feel as the long race hurtles to its climax.

Lyons said: "I'm feeling anxious. But we have put together a very professional and very strong case. It is now up to UEFA to look at us and make their decision."