NYON: European federation UEFA has confirmed that Germany and Turkey are the sole bidders for the rights to host the finals of the European Championship in 2024.

The two were the only ones to submit a declaration of interest before the March 3 deadline after proposals for a joint Nordic bid from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland was abandoned.

Both federations must produce a bid dossier by April 2018, with European football’s governing body choosing the winner the following September. The 2024 finals will see a return to the traditional full-host format after the pan-European finals in 2020.

UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: “It’s clear that there will be two strong bids for the showcase national team competition and it will be a tough decision to make.”

West Germany hosted the 1974 World Cup and 1988 European Championship, with the 2006 World Cup being held in a reunited Germany.

Germany federation president Reinhard Grindel said: “With our vast experience, our current stadium infrastructure and the basic conditions in Germany, we can stage an economic, first-class tournament.”

Turkey has never hosted a major tournament, after unsuccessful bids to host Euro 2008 with Greece and the 2012 finals on its own.

Grindel’s counterpart, Yildirim Demiroren, is hoping it will be third time lucky for Turkey.

“Over the past few years, about 32 new stadiums have been built or are currently being constructed around the country,” he said.

“With this level of investment, Turkey is proving that it is one of the world’s leaders in its commitment to football infrastructure.”

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