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UEFA set venue agenda

European soccer's governing body UEFA will decide on the venues for the Champions League and UEFA Cup finals when its executive committee meets in December.

UEFA has received bids from nine possible hosts for the Champions League final and eight for the UEFA Cup final in 2003.

Said Mike Lee, UEFA spokesman: "UEFA staff are now in the process of analysing the bids and carrying our site surveys of all the proposed stadia.

"The executive committee will then receive a detailed evaluation report in order to make the final decision at its December meeting."

Among the stadiums bidding for the 2003 Champions League final are Old Trafford, Manchester; Stade de France, Paris (pictured); AOL Arena, Hamburg; and the Bernabeu in Madrid.

Those hoping to land the UEFA Cup final include Villa Park, Birmingham; the Olimpic, Seville; and the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.

The UEFA executive committee meeting takes place on December 12 and 13.