The German Football Federation (DFB) said that "a plan to stage the 2020 European football championships across the entire continent instead of one or two countries enjoys wide support among national federations," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS.
Ahead of two days of meetings in Brussels, Belgium with UEFA, DFB General Secretary Helmut Sandrock said that "they were initially surprised by UEFA President Michel Platini's concept."
The proposal, yet to be ratified by the UEFA exec committee, "could see 12 countries hosting an expanded tournament involving 24 teams, up from the current 16." Sandrock said, "But I myself had discussions to learn more about this idea, and we know that there have been two strategy discussions with national federations already, and there is a lot of support for such a Euro tournament." Platini had said in October that "he would press ahead with the idea, only if member associations were in favor of the plan." Sandrock added, "I think a Euro across Europe offers a shorter road (of preparations). Look at (2014 World Cup hosts) Brazil and the distance they need to cover" (REUTERS, 11/27).
