David W Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 SCOTLAND are favourites in the race to host the 2004 Under-21 European Championship. Euro big guns France and Germany are in the running for the tournament along with Turkey, Russia and the Czech Republic. But SFA chief executive David Taylor has already submitted an official bid to UEFA and is confident Scotland will land the eightteam glamour event provided Rainer Bonhof's youngsters qualify from the play-offs. ``Our bid is on the table and the UEFA inspection team arrive here on October 23 to look at everything we are offering in detail. ``Our proposal is to use Dundee's Dens Park, Hibs' Easter Road, Rugby Park at Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle's Firhill as the four grounds needed to host the finals. ``Should Scotland get to the semi-final and the final of the tournament we would look at using one of the major arenas in Glasgow and that probably means going to Hampden Park. ``There's work to be done on our bid but I am confident we will get it. We have friends at UEFA and they think highly of us. ``I've been in Geneva twice in the past couple of weeks and spoken to UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner to let him know we want it. ``It's also in our favour that we don't have the facilities to host a World Cup finals but France and Germany do. ``That gives us an advantage since UEFA like to spread these events about. ``There are five other countries in for it but I think we have better than a 5-1 chance. ``But first of all it is important to remember we have to win our play-off match.'' Scottish Sports Minister Frank McAveety has backed the SFA bid for the two-week event that will start on May 27. He said: ``Securing a major finals fits into our strategy for sport.'' Scotland's under-21s, who clinched qualification for the 2004 event with their 3-2 win over Lithuania on Friday, will be hoping Taylor is spot on with his prediction. It would be a major boost for Bonhof's battlers who have been improving rapidly under the German coach and would fear no-one on home soil. Dens Park is a dump It would be much better being held at Pittodrie to allow more of the country to see the games. I can't expect many people wanting a trip to Scumhill either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codfish Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Dundee, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock and Maryhill. For me, that doesn't really mean using the better non-Old Scum grounds (not Dens anyway). Pittodrie would have been a better bet, even Livi's ground would be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LJ Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Dens Park is a dump It would be much better being held at Pittodrie to allow more of the country to see the games. I can't expect many people wanting a trip to Scumhill either. Whassup? Chucked yer toys oot the pram coz they don't want to play at the wind tunnel???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Whassup? Chucked yer toys oot the pram coz they don't want to play at the wind tunnel???? Have to say Dens is indeed a strange choice. It isn't one of the better grounds is it? If you want to use a Dundee stadium then Tannadice is a far better ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W Posted October 12, 2003 Author Share Posted October 12, 2003 Have to say Dens is indeed a strange choice. It isn't one of the better grounds is it?If you want to use a Dundee stadium then Tannadice is a far better ground. Although the pitch is useless. Firhill is inferior compared with Tynecastle, Rugby Park, Pittodrie, Tannadice, the City Stadium, Easter Road, McDiarmid Park, Fir Park and the Wind Tunnel (which will have its 4th stand by then ). Still, it gives me a chance to go and watch if we do hold the tourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LJ Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 If you want to use a Dundee stadium then Tannadice is a far better ground. I think that has a lot to do with the quality of the playing surface. Dens is like a bowling green compared with the tattie field that is Tannadice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realmadrid Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 The games should be spread over all Scotland Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Perth, Kilmarnock, Dundee, Glasgow, Livingstone. Scotland games should be played at Hampden, Murrayfeild or the old firm grounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiG Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 ICT Park should be free if they fancy a long trip North! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I think that has a lot to do with the quality of the playing surface. Dens is like a bowling green compared with the tattie field that is Tannadice. Ah, wasn't aware of the pitch problems at Tannadice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Firhill is inferior compared with Tynecastle, Rugby Park, Pittodrie, Tannadice, the City Stadium, Easter Road, McDiarmid Park, Fir Park and the Wind Tunnel (which will have its 4th stand by then ). I think any games involving a Scots u-21 team in the finals would need a damn sight more than 10,000 seats, ruling out McDiarmid, the Wind Tunnel, City Stadium and possibly even Fir Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 David, are you seriously quoting someone who had anything to do with the Scotland/Ireland bid??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIFTHEBINO Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 If we get through and host it,Ill be at all the games.If I was to miss out due to a large crowd,I would be fuming!!I've not missed a home U21 match this campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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