Russia officially proposed itself as venue for European football championship in 2008

With the consent of president of Russia Vladimir Putin, head of the Russian government Mikhail Kasyanov signed the address, putting forward Russia as the hopeful venue of the European football championship in 2008. Kasyanov said this opening the meeting of the Russian government on Tuesday. The Russian Prime Minister thereby backed the request of the Russian Football Union and parliament's address.

"The government several times considered the expediency of hosting the European football championship, and last night this question was analyzed by the Vice-Premiers - in sum, it is an attractive, ambitious idea," Kasyanov stressed. According to him, "the championship of Europe will be an important event for Russia, and we have a chance to win the competition" among the contenders for holding the championship.