Norway and Sweden express interest in joint bid for Euro 2016

Norway and Sweden express interest in joint bid for Euro 2016Oslo/Stockholm - Norway and Sweden Thursday said they were planning a joint bid to host the 2016 European football championships.

The two national football federations said they planned to file a joint letter expressing their interest to European football's governing body UEFA.

"We cooperate very well and have made a thorough pre-study prior to our letter of interest," Swedish Football Association president Lars-Ake Lagrell and Norwegian Football Association president Sondre Kafjord said in a joint statement.

The secretary generals of both national football associations said hosting a tournament of this scope was a challenge but were confident they could solve issues like stadiums with sufficient capacity, transports and security.

The final application to UEFA was due February 2010.

Sweden hosted the Euro 1992 finals that Denmark won in an upset win.

Other countries that have expressed interest for Euro 2016 include France, Turkey, Greece, Russia, Italy as well as joint bids from Scotland, Ireland and Wales as well as Hungary and Romania.

The 2012 finals are being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. (dpa)

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