Austria/Switzerland to host Euro 2008

Austria/Switzerland have won in their bid to host the European Championships in 2008, UEFA have announced.

UEFA President Lennart Johansson announced the successful bid in Geneva.

Mr Johansson said: "I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of all seven bids.

"It has been a long road to Geneva. Over this time we have witnessed the great spirit of all the candidates and everyone involved."

Austria-Switzerland were viewed by many as the favourites to win the race for Euro 2008.

Austria are looking at second-time lucky option as they failed to win 2004 after a joint bid with Hungary but have now joined forces with Switzerland - where the announcement of the host nation was made.

The two countries are centrally located in Europe and, with Switzerland being the home for FIFA and UEFA, may have swung the political vote towards this joint bid.