France to host football Euro in 2016

Geneva: France has been chosen to host football's European Championship in 2016. UEFA voted for the French bid on Friday over rival candidates Turkey and Italy.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former national team star Zinedine Zidane supported their country's case in a presentation to UEFA's ruling executive.

Sarkozy said the French government would help guarantee the projected euro1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) cost of building and renovating stadiums. Euro 2016 will feature 24 countries playing 51 matches over one month.

France also staged the finals in 1960 and '84 and will become the first country to host three times.