LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) – UEFA’s decision to host the 2020 European Championship across the continent rather than in one or two host nations has been greeted with enthusiasm as countries battle the crippling financial crisis.

European soccer’s governing body announced the move on Thursday, saying it would allow smaller countries a slice of the action as they would not be able to stage an unwieldy, 24-team tournament on their own.

LONDON (Reuters) – Five-times European champions Liverpool survived a late scare to move into the last 32 of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Italian side Udinese on Thursday.

The Premier League club were joined by compatriots Tottenham Hotspur, former European champions Steaua Bucharest, VfB Stuttgart and Basel as the last five clubs through to the knockout stages.

LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) – Five-times European champions Liverpool survived a late scare to move into the last 32 of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Italian side Udinese on Thursday.

The Premier League club were joined by compatriots Tottenham Hotspur, former European champions Steaua Bucharest, VfB Stuttgart and Basel as the last five clubs through to the knockout stages.

LONDON (Reuters) – Five-times European champions Liverpool survived a late scare to move into the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Udinese and the Premier League club were joined by Steaua Bucharest and VfB Stuttgart.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson’s first strike of the season after 23 minutes helped Liverpool leapfrog Group A leaders Anzhi Makhachkala, though Antonio Di Natale blazed a good chance over the bar from inside the area with the last kick of the game.

LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) – Five-times European champions Liverpool survived a late scare to move into the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Udinese and the Premier League club were joined by Steaua Bucharest and VfB Stuttgart.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson’s first strike of the season after 23 minutes helped Liverpool leapfrog Group A leaders Anzhi Makhachkala, though Antonio Di Natale blazed a good chance over the bar from inside the area with the last kick of the game.

LONDON (Reuters) – Nicolas Colsaerts is ready to take the United States by storm when he switches to the PGA Tour from Europe after becoming the first Belgian to appear in the Ryder Cup.

The 29-year-old is trying to secure his playing card in the U.S for the 2013 season and Belgian Golf Federation president Jean De Vooght is convinced the longest driver on the European and PGA Tours will be a big hit across the Atlantic.

LONDON, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Nicolas Colsaerts is ready to take the United States by storm when he switches to the PGA Tour from Europe after becoming the first Belgian to appear in the Ryder Cup.

The 29-year-old is trying to secure his playing card in the U.S for the 2013 season and Belgian Golf Federation president Jean De Vooght is convinced the longest driver on the European and PGA Tours will be a big hit across the Atlantic.

LONDON (Reuters) – Nicolas Colsaerts is ready to take the United States by storm when he switches to the PGA Tour from Europe after becoming the first Belgian to appear in the Ryder Cup.

The 29-year-old is trying to secure his playing card in the U.S. for the 2013 season and Belgian Golf Federation president Jean De Vooght is convinced the longest driver on the European and PGA Tours will be a big hit across the Atlantic.

LONDON (Reuters) – Since Jock Stein helped guide Scotland to the 1986 World Cup and sadly died in the process after celebrating a late equaliser in the decisive qualifying match against Wales, the national team has been in steady decline.

Two more World Cup appearances since in 1990 and 1998 are a paltry return for the passionate Scottish fans, whose side travel to Wales on Friday hoping for a win to boost hopes of a long-awaited return to the pinnacle of soccer in 2014.

LONDON (Reuters) – Since Jock Stein helped guide Scotland to the 1986 World Cup and sadly died in the process after celebrating a late equaliser in the decisive qualifying match against Wales, the national team has been in steady decline.

Two more World Cup appearances since in 1990 and 1998 are a paltry return for the passionate Scottish fans, whose side travel to Wales on Friday hoping for a win to boost hopes of a long-awaited return to the pinnacle of football in 2014.