Poland and Ukraine get Euro Champs

A joint bid from Poland and Ukraine has won Uefa's vote to host the 2012 European Championships.

Uefa's president, former French star Michael Platini, announced the decision today in Cardiff.

The surprise winning bid beat out competition from favourites Italy and a joint effort from Croatia and Hungary.

It is widely thought that last season's match fixing scandal in Italy and recent crowd trouble at matches in the country cost the 1990 World Cup hosts the chance of putting on another major football event.

The chairman of the Polish Football Association, Michal Listkiewicz, said: "There are 85 million people now waiting for this big football event.

"The friendship between our nations has a very long history. This big tournament will be an important milestone in the history of our two Slavic nations."

"There are no losers today, rather only bids that have not won this time round," added Mr Platini.

Switzerland and Austria are co-hosting next year's tournament.