Olsson backs Italy to get the nod

UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson believes Italy’s bid to stage the 2012 European championships will survive the cut in November.

Italy, Greece and Turkey have made individual bids while Croatia has made a joint bid with Hungary, and Poland have teamed up with the Ukraine.

UEFA’s Executive Committee will trim the number of candidates from five to two or three when they meet in Malta on November 8.

Olsson said: “The impression is that Italy will make it, together with one of Turkey and Hungary-Croatia.”

The Committee also confirmed a change of format for the Intertoto Cup for the 2006/07 season.

Under the new structure, three rounds will be played in the competition, instead of five.

The 11 victorious teams from the Intertoto Cup third round will go through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.