Scandinavia

UEFA has confirmed Lars-Christer Olsson as its new chief executive - replacing Gerhard Aigner who retires at the end of the year.

ESPN has signed a number of major new European TV deals for the Indy Racing League, just prior to its calendar highlight, the Indianapolis 500 this weekend.

FIFA has confirmed it will be a straight shoot-out between the US and Sweden to host the rescheduled Women's World Cup finals.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed the commonly held belief that the US is hot favourite to host the rescheduled Women's World Cup, after the event was pulled out of China because of the SARS epidemic.

The US is firm favourite to land the short-notice right to host the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer tournament as the deadline looms later this week for bids to be submitted, following the decision to pull the event out of China because of the SARS epidemic.

Benfield Sports International (BSI) has signed more major deals for its leading speedway properties.

The eighth and final sponsorship partner for this year's Solheim Cup has been announced.

The Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany will host the 2004 UEFA Champions League final it has been confirmed.

National Swedish broadcaster SVT has extended its speedway coverage after signing a new deal with Benfield Sports International (BSI).

Pay-TV network The Golf Channel has secured a broadcast rights deal for coverage of this year's Solheim Cup - the biennial women's golf tournament between Europe and the US.

Norwegian commercial terrestrial broadcaster, TV2, has agreed a contract with Benfield Sports International (BSI) to broadcast the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series.

Global Sportnet has signed a long-term deal with Norwegian soccer club Lyn Oslo - and renewed its existing deal with Molde FK.

Media giant Modern Times Group (MTG) has acquired the exclusive TV rights in Denmark to the 2003 Formula One season for its Viasat Broadcasting subsidiary.

UEFA has selected four European stadiums for further research into the possible future use of artificial turf playing fields for UEFA competition matches.

IEC has signed deals to distribute two major soccer events in China.

A Swiss-based sports marketing company founded by former executives of ISL, has been appointed by Dentsu to manage the broadcast rights for the IAAF Golden League.

The Extreme Sports Channel has reached new TV carriage agreements in Scandinavia, Finland and the Netherlands, increasing its distribution reach in the regions significantly.

Four of the seven candidates to host the 2008 European Championships have been rejected by UEFA following today's vote in Geneva.