Left field

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

France to host Euro 2016

Favourites France have been chosen to host Euro 2016 after beating Italy and Turkey.

UEFA President Michel Platini, a proud Frenchman, whipped round the card in Geneva to reveal France's name.

They will host a major soccer championship for the first time since holding the 1998 World Cup.

Italy, who missed out on Euro 2012, will again wonder where it all went wrong amid problems with new stadiums and soccer violence.