Scottish-Irish bid to host championship an early favourite

FIFA vice-president David Will claims Scotland and Ireland are neck-and-neck with Austria and Switzerland in the race to host the 2008 European Championships.

The two joint bids are among seven hopefuls aiming to stage the tournament, but Will, of Brechin, believes the Scottish-Irish bid is an early favourite.

“I would put Scotland and Ireland joint favourites with Austria and Switzerland. These two are the strongest bids,” Will said.