France fields Sarkozy,Zidane for Euro 2016 vote

Rival candidate Turkey will call on its head of state,President Abdullah Gul,to promote a bid that aims to bring the majority Muslim country closer to the heart of Europe.

Likely outsider Italy has all-time great Paolo Maldini fronting a 30-minute presentation which each candidate will make at a Geneva conference center before polling.

The high-powered bidding teams reflect the prestige that comes with staging the 24-nation,monthlong tournament. The Euro ranks third in television audience and commercial value among global sports events behind the World Cup and Summer Olympics.

A clear display of government support also weighs heavily in UEFA’s thinking because state funding guarantees are essential to intensive building projects each candidate has proposed.

France’s bid calls for euro1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) investment in a pool of 12 stadiums,at least nine of which are needed to stage the 51 scheduled matches. New arenas are promised in Bordeaux,Lille,Lyon and Nice,and UEFA has praised the long-term legacy the bid could create.

Sarkozy’s government,plus regional and city authorities,have pledged euro662 million ($820 million) in public funds. A further euro501 million ($620 million) private financing is secured.

Turkey intends to spend euro920 million ($1.14 billion) on nine venues – seven new – to host its first major international football finals.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan guaranteed state backing for the entire budget when UEFA’s inspection team visited candidates last month.

Turkey must invest much more besides in transport links,hotels and other infrastructure,and says the national modernization plan is already under way.

“We are happy to be competing against two great candidates,” Turkish Football Federation head Mahmut Ozgener told NTV television from Geneva. “(But) we can put on a better organization and we believe that we will do so.”

Italy proposes to spend euro745 million ($922 million) euro640 million ($792 million) state-guaranteed – upgrading its stadiums which have lagged behind European standards since it hosted the 1990 World Cup.

France,which was inspired by Zidane to win the 1998 World Cup at home,also hopes Euro 2016 can be a catalyst for change.

Like Italy,France has hosted two previous European Championships including its 1984 victory when captained by Michel Platini.

Platini is now the popular UEFA president who has quietly approved the French bid,but did not campaign and will not vote.

Turkey’s Senes Erzik and Italy’s Giancarlo Abete also will leave their 13 executive colleagues to choose a lucky winner.