Denmark to host 2011 U21 finals

Denmark has been selected to host the final tournament of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, with the appointment approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in Nyon on Thursday.

Growing popularity
Aarhus, Aalborg, Herning and Viborg have been chosen to host matches during the eight-team event, and Danish Football Association chairman Allan Hansen expressed his delight at the decision to bring the tournament to Denmark. "We are aware that the Under-21 finals will be the greatest UEFA event for national teams in 2011," Hansen said. "We also know that at the finals in 2004 there were 53 million television viewers and 111,000 spectators. Three years later in Holland there were 75 million television viewers and 212,000 spectators. These are, of course, enormous figures, and we are looking forward to showing Europe we can manage a task of such dimensions."

Denmark goal
Denmark narrowly missed out on a place in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in neighbouring Sweden when they lost in a play-off to Serbia and coach Keld Bordinggaard is already looking forward to making amends in 2011 when his side will qualify automatically as hosts. "This tournament gives us the best possible conditions to work with the vintages '88, '89 and '90," he said. "As we are sure of participating we can work with determination towards the finals and thereby give ourselves the best possible chance to do our absolute best." The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will take place in neighbouring Sweden between 15 and 29 June.