ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has dropped its bid to host the 2020 European Championship final and semifinals, and will focus on hosting Euro 2024 alone. Turkeys football federation announced its decision ahead of Fridays bidding deadline despite Istanbul being a front-runner for the marquee matches with support already pledged by UEFA President Michel Platini. "We believe ... we are at a point where we can undertake the entire tournament, not just the semifinals and final," the Turkish federation said in a statement. The strategic move makes England and Germany favoured to receive the prestige package of final and semifinals for the 24-nation 2020 tournament. England has proposed Wembley Stadium in London and Germany has offered the Allianz Arena in Munich. UEFA will choose 13 host cities across Europe for Euro 2020 at a Sept. 19 meeting of its executive committee. Twelve winning bidders will each host three group-stage matches and a single knockout match from the last-16 or quarterfinals rounds. At least 20 UEFA member countries are expected to meet Fridays deadline to bid, including Italy and the Netherlands, plus newcomers Azerbaijan and Romania. A total of 32 countries expressed interest last September when Turkey was already a clear favourite for the final. Platini has publicly supported Turkeys claim since his native France won a close race between the countries in May 2010 to host Euro 2016. Turkey seemed sure to host Euro 2020 alone but the campaign was complicated by Istanbuls insistence on bidding for the 2020 Olympics, scheduled weeks later. Despite UEFA and Platini seeking a firm commitment for its tournament, Turkeys political and sporting leaders proceeded in the Olympics contest won by Tokyo last year. Turkey automatically becomes the favourite to host Euro 2024, with one of its probable opponents -- England or Germany -- likely to step aside if either gets the prestige matches in 2020. Also Friday, France and Switzerland withdrew from the Euro 2020 bidding, saying it was too soon to repeat as host nations. Switzerland shared Euro 2008 with neighbouring Austria. Euro 2012 co-host Poland backed out this week, following the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland and Portugal. UEFA will confirm the Euro 2020 candidates on Saturday. Adidas Gazelle Suomi . "I dont know where we would be without him," McClendon said. "Hes done a tremendous job for us and (Wednesday) was no different." Logan Morrison drove in two runs in Seattles big sixth inning, Young pitched seven strong innings and the Mariners beat the Houston Astros 5-2 to complete a three-game sweep. Adidas NMD Kengät Ale .com) - Theres nothing better for a team than to send out the staff ace in the most important game of the season. http://www.nmdhalvalla.com/adidas-nmd-r1-halvalla.html. -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts. Adidas NMD Naiset .C. -- The Edmonton Oilers used a late-power-play goal to get a hard-fought road victory. Adidas Eqt Ale . -- Brendan Leipsic had two goals and an assist and Nicolas Petan extended his point streak to 11 games as the Portland Winterhawks slipped past the Red Deer Rebels 5-4 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ethan Finlay and Jairo Arrieta scored in the first half and the Columbus Crew beat the Chicago Fire 2-0 on Saturday night to end an eight-game winless streak. Finlay, making his first start of the season and seventh in his three-year career, scored in the 10th minute, and Arrieta followed 15 minutes later with his third goal of the season. After failing to score in his first 40 MLS games, Finlay has goals in two straight. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson came out to challenge near the edge of the box, but Finlay -- who ran behind Fire defender Greg Cochrane -- was able to dribble past him and shoot just before reaching the end line. "I did think maybe I should have taken it inside at first,"t; Finlay said.dddddddddddd. "You saw Cochrane make a nice play and he almost got back to the line. It was a tight angle but it found the back of the net." Federico Higuain assisted on both goals, and Steve Clark made four saves for his second shutout of the season. The Crew (4-4-4) were 0-4-4 since beating Seattle on March 29. "The backline played fantastic," Clark said. "We did the little thing very well today and if you do that youre going to get shutouts." Chicago (2-3-6) was shut out for the first time this season. "Its one of those games where Columbus was better than us," Chicago coach Frank Yallop said. "They deserved to win the game." ' ' '