Scandinavia

TV audiences in Europe for the FIFA World Cup look set to beat expectations judging by the initial viewing figures.

After all the hype it is finally here – the FIFA World Cup 2006 kicks-off this evening in Germany and is set to smash TV viewing records.

The Ladies European Tour has confirmed seven countries have made bids to host the 2011 Solheim Cup.

FIFA agents Infront have signed four agreements for its standard 2006 World Cup new media broadcast rights packages for France, Canada, Sweden and India.

UEFA president Lennart Johansson, 76, says he has not ruled out once again running for the post at the next elections in 2007.

The IAAF says a record number of countries have declared an interest to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.

Stockholm is set to play host to a new 50,000-seater national stadium, Swedish soccer chiefs have confirmed.

Turkey is the latest country to sign up sports TV network ESPN Classic, following a carriage deal inked with Turkey’s leading digital platform, Digiturk.

The FINA World Cup Swimming Series has achieved a high in television exposure, reaching more than 100 countries across five continents.

The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) has appointed marketing agency RSM to implement a PR and promotions campaign to raise its profile.

The EHF Handball Champions League enjoyed TV ratings reaching almost 4 million viewers for the eight final matches played in December.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) says it is committed to providing additional content access to sports fans around Europe following record levels of new media coverage for the Winter Olympics.

The Danish capital of Copenhagen has won the vote to host the 2009 IOC Session and Congress, defeating Cairo in a head-to-head vote in Turin.

UK free-to-air broadcasters ITV and the BBC have come to an agreement over joint coverage of the FIFA World Cup this summer.

Lausanne has dropped out of the race for the 2009 IOC Session and Olympic Congress, leaving seven cities in the contest.

The race is hotting up for the right to host the 13th Olympic Congress in 2009, with a decision due at this month’s IOC Session in Torino.

Runaway English Premier League leaders Chelsea have denied allegations of misconduct made by Manchester United.

Regular exhibition stand space is sold out for the 4th SportAccord event at the Grand InterContinental Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on April 3-7, 2006.