A little buried under World Cup hype and Robbie Findley hysteria is the fact that UEFA will be selecting the host for Euro 2016 this Friday at its Executive Committee meeting in Nyon, choosing between Italy, France and Turkey.

We can rule out Italy from the three final bidders, with UEFA already having offered serious reservations about ticketing, transportation and stadia infrastructure plans in their bid. France might seem an obvious favourite with Michel Platini heading UEFA, but Platini cannot vote or take part in the final debate (and nor can his Turkish or Italian counterparts, of course).

Turkey would be a bold choice and would better match, in fact, Platini’s own efforts to  reach out more away from the traditional western European strongholds of UEFA.

And remember, from 2016, the European Championship will expand to a slightly absurd 24 teams, increasing the demands on the host considerably. This piece gives us a good overview of the financial states of each bid, and it’s perhaps surprising to learn that Turkey “only” needs to spend 920 million Euros to prepare for the finals, compared to 1.7 billion Euros for the French, who hosted a World Cup just twelve years ago.

Despite this, the general consensus appears to be that Turkey is the riskier choice, but with much greater upside for European football than choosing France to host their third UEFA championship. The biggest event Turkey has hosted is the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.

World Football Insider has a good overview of Turkey’s bid, concluding that:

Expansion of UEFA’s flagship tournament into a new territory and the chance to grow the game in Turkey makes this the most attractive bid. But it’s also the most risky, with seven stadiums planned and massive infrastructure projects to complete. Turkey would be up against the clock if it were awarded the championships. But the government’s guarantees to provide 100% of the estimated total investment are an important and persuasive element of the bid. However, the Ukraine factor may ultimately count against them. The 2012 co-host’s trouble-hit preparations have been a major headache for UEFA and the governing body might look for a safer option this time around.

Concerns over Turkey because of Ukraine’s rather unique problems are harsh, however.  Giving Euro 2016 to Turkey would be a major spur for the sport in that country. France has hosted two World Cups and two European championships already; little is to be gained for football’s development by going there again.

My ticket placed me 30 rows deep behind the goal in the heart of the Turkish supporters section. Even during the warm-up the fans set the tone for what was to be a loud and vibrantly supported match. The acoustics of the Stade de Geneve were perfect for this one-upsmanship displayed early on by the fans, a sub plot which continued for the whole of the match.

The Czechs may have won the decibel contest and had a better showing in terms of number of fans, which saw half the stadium bouncing during a particular chant; but it was the Turks that were more diligent and varied when it came to their chants and songs. That is, of course, until the 61st minute when Turkey went 2-nil down. The Turkey supporters were temporarily deflated and the Czechs sensed their advancement to the knock-out rounds. The sounds from the crowd for the next 15 minutes were decidedly pro-Czech Republic but the Turkish side showed no signs of quitting and their fans responded likewise.

Perhaps it is the inherent, but unspoken, selfishness of an Ultra that causes us to believe we can sing and chant our loudest with the wholehearted belief that we will help will the ball into the back of the net. Regardless, the comeback that followed was a perfect case where players put forth unending effort and intensity to survive and the fans responded accordingly. Turkey responded with a goal and in the true reciprocal nature of that unique relationship, the fans obliged and upped the intensify to an even greater level.

What followed on the pitch will surely be remembered as some of the most exciting and scintillating football played in the entire tournament. Or, without a doubt, the most devastating showing the Czech Republic will see for sometime. With his Champions League defeat fresh in recent memory, a neutral could only feel for Peter Cech as he bobbled the ball and allowed Turkish captain Arda Turan to score the equalizing goal in the minute. But you cant fault Cech for the fabulous winning strike by Turan in the 89th minute, which brilliantly played out in a manner plucked straight out of scenes imagined by children on the streets and playgrounds across the whole of Turkey. As the ball hit the crossbar near the upper right corner and bounced straight down, the capacity crowd collectively froze until the ball rebounded into the top of the net.

The Turkish players and supporters broke in to an understandably euphoric celebration, while the Czech side of the stadium looked on in absolute disbelief. Turkey held on to advance and their and the party continued as the players walked to the Turkish end to acknowledge the maximum effort put forth in their respective role. The walk back to the train station was not a quiet one. The streets displayed the classic celebratory scenes – Turks in thier cars, flags out the windows, and the horn blaring without pause. The fans on the sidewalk showed their pleasure in response, while the Czech fans held their heads low in what can only be described as complete and utter dejection at what they just witnessed.

This was certainly one of the most entertaining and exciting sporting experiences that I have ever witnessed. Much thanks to Gary from Liverpool who sold me the ticket before the match and repeatedly assured me, in his Scouser tone, that I would be witness to a “great match with a cracking atmosphere.” That billing certainly did not disappoint.