hip final and semifinals, and will focus
hip final and semifinals, and will focus
ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has dropped its bid to host the 2020 European Championship final and semifinals, and will focus on hosting Euro 2024 alone. Turkeys football federation announced its decision ahead of Fridays bidding deadline despite Istanbul being a front-runner for the marquee matches with support already pledged by UEFA President Michel Platini. "We believe ... we are at a point where we can undertake the entire tournament, not just the semifinals and final," the Turkish federation said in a statement. The strategic move makes England and Germany favoured to receive the prestige package of final and semifinals for the 24-nation 2020 tournament. England has proposed Wembley Stadium in London and Germany has offered the Allianz Arena in Munich. UEFA will choose 13 host cities across Europe for Euro 2020 at a Sept. 19 meeting of its executive committee. Twelve winning bidders will each host three group-stage matches and a single knockout match from the last-16 or quarterfinals rounds. At least 20 UEFA member countries are expected to meet Fridays deadline to bid, including Italy and the Netherlands, plus newcomers Azerbaijan and Romania. A total of 32 countries expressed interest last September when Turkey was already a clear favourite for the final. Platini has publicly supported Turkeys claim since his native France won a close race between the countries in May 2010 to host Euro 2016. Turkey seemed sure to host Euro 2020 alone but the campaign was complicated by Istanbuls insistence on bidding for the 2020 Olympics, scheduled weeks later. Despite UEFA and Platini seeking a firm commitment for its tournament, Turkeys political and sporting leaders proceeded in the Olympics contest won by Tokyo last year. Turkey automatically becomes the favourite to host Euro 2024, with one of its probable opponents -- England or Germany -- likely to step aside if either gets the prestige matches in 2020. Also Friday, France and Switzerland withdrew from the Euro 2020 bidding, saying it was too soon to repeat as host nations. Switzerland shared Euro 2008 with neighbouring Austria. Euro 2012 co-host Poland backed out this week, following the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland and Portugal. UEFA will confirm the Euro 2020 candidates on Saturday. Custom Oakland Athletics Jerseys . Watching them over the past year - and in some cases, two years - has given us a starting point for this seasons Craigs List. Bruce Maxwell Jersey . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. http://www.athleticsrookiestore.com/Ath ... ds-Jersey/. THE THUNDER & PACERS BENCHES: In a nutshell, not impressive at all. Walt Weiss Jersey .com) - The fading Ottawa Senators have a chance to make up some ground in the playoff race on Tuesday night as they play host to the New York Rangers. Boog Powell Jersey . The agreement comes a little more than one week after the video game manufacturer agreed to a $40 million settlement in a similar but separate case, bringing the total payout planned for athletes to $60 million, said Steve Berman, an attorney for the plaintiffs, and the NCAA.BOSTON - The Atlanta Hawks have the best record in the Eastern Conference and have won 10 straight for the first time in 17 years.Life is so good for the Hawks, they even have the depth to platoon starters during a busy stretch.DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague responded from a night off with 22 points apiece, helping the Hawks to a 105-91 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.Its just the start. Its a long season, so were not too excited, Teague said.Not even a little?The Hawks have their first double-digit winning streak since winning 11 in a row early in the 1997-98 season. They also have won 10 straight on the road, the longest streak in club history.Teague, Paul Millsap and Carroll were well-rested after getting a night off Tuesday, when Al Horford led the Hawks past Philadelphia with his first career triple-double. On Wednesday, it was Horford and veteran outside shooter Kyle Korver resting up as their teammates easily took care of the Celtics.I dont like it, but its Coachs call and it paid off for us, said Millsap, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season.He might know what hes doing, Millsap added.Avery Bradley had 17 points and Jared Sullinger finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for Boston. Kelly Olynyk had 12 points and eight rebounds and Marcus Thornton scored 10 points for the Celtics, who never recovered after the Hawks blew open the game in the second quarter.I thought our offence was pretty poor all night and I think theyre obviously a difficult enough offence to guard, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. But when you give them run-out dunks it doesnt help anything and we just turned the ball over too much.Boston had 17 turnovers, five during the second quarter.Atlanta shot 63 per cent in the second quarter, going 12 for 19 from the floor after being evenly matched by the Celtics through the first quarter. A 24-24 tie quickly turned into a 10-point lead for the Hawks, who answered every time the Celtics strung together a few points.ddddddddddddBoston pulled to 52-45 with 35 seconds left in the period, but the Hawks had one more surge before halftime. Teague hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds to go and Millsap swiped the ball from Evan Turner and took it in for a layup just before the buzzer to give Atlanta a 57-45 lead.Our thing is finish quarters, Teague said. We like to finish quarters on a high note and we did that finishing the half.Boston opened the fourth quarter with six straight points to pull to 89-80, but the Hawks put a quick end to the threat and cruised to another win.___TIP-INSHawks: Atlanta improved to 31-8 overall and 15-5 on the road. ... Atlanta continued to win through a stretch of four games in five nights. ... Korver had played in all 38 games before the mandated night off Wednesday. The Hawks fared fine without him from beyond-the-arc, making 10 of 29 3-pointers.Celtics: Bostons latest acquisition joined two others picked up during the Celtics trading frenzy on the inactive list. Nate Robinson, traded back to Boston in a deal with Denver on Tuesday, and Tayshaun Prince and Austin Rivers were inactive as the Celtics continued reworking the roster for the future.Stevens said the Celtics needs on the court are the same regardless of who is coming and going.I think its what we need, Stevens said. We have to learn the importance of attention to detail for us on every single possession. We have to learn the importance of taking care of the ball.CHEERSBoston Bruins defenceman Dougie Hamilton gave Boston fans something to cheer for even as the Hawks pulled away. Hamilton was shown sitting courtside during the second half on the big-screen monitor and received few chants of Doug-ee! The Bruins have won four straight and host the New York Rangers on Tuesday.UP NEXTHawks: Visit Toronto on Friday night.Celtics: Host Chicago on Friday night. ' ' '