UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner has urged the losing bidders in the race for Euro 2008 to consider lodging a bid for 2012.
Aigner has been impressed with the bids, which include a joint bid from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
But the UEFA supremo believes any of the losing candidates from Thursday’s announcement can bounce back for the next round of bidding for 2012.
Aigner told www.uefa.com: “The member associations have become very professional in presenting bids, and governments have understood the importance of big sporting events for the image of their country and for the economy, so we have a much higher impact compared to 15 or 20 years ago.
“The bidders are under more pressure to win, and we will have some disappointed parties. This is a shame – but this is not going to be the last European Championship.
“The ones who do not win now could win it next time.”