Euro 2008: Vatican to play next time round?
Only two countries have qualified automatically for next year's European Cup, the hosts: Austria and Switzerland. That leaves fourteen places to make up the sixteen team tournament.
Given that there are some 48 countries in Europe, competition has been hot for the final fourteen places. So hot in fact that some surprising fellows have thrown their hats into the ring. Countries such as Australia, China and Uganda have wasted reams of good paper submitting official applications to UEFA. Indeed, a gargantuan 128 countries posted official applications to play in Euro 2008, despite being oceans away from Europe itself.
That said, UEFA often gives a sporting chance to countries that are not a million miles away. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are both through to the qualifying rounds. And although the Vatican didn't make it this time (yes, they do have an official side) little chaps Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are in the running. And don't rule out Vatican City for good. Cardinal Tacisio Bertone has stated that he does 'not preclude the possibility that the Vatican, in the future, could put together a team of great value." Pope John Paul II was himself a tenacious goalie in his youth, so we can't help feeling he'd heartily approve.