© Reuters Limited 2001

BUDAPEST, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Hungary decided on Friday to make a solo bid for the 2008 European Championships after unsuccessful talks with potential co-hosts Croatia, Youth and Sports Minister Tamas Deutsch said.

"We thought that our chances of winning are better if we apply alone," Deutsch told a news conference after his talks with his Croatian counterpart in Kaposvar, south-western Hungary.

"It has nothing to do with the Croats, the decision was made in order to be more successful," he added.

Earlier the two countries had agreed to make a bid together.

Stiepan Puhak, Croatia's sports minister, was disappointed with the decision but made clear it would not affect the close relationship his country enjoyed with Hungary.

"We are not happy, but we regard it as their choice," Puhak told the same news conference. "We wish the Hungarians good luck."

Puhak added that the Croatian Soccer Federation would not make a bid alone but may team up with another potential co-host.

European soccer's governing body's (UEFA) decision on the hosting of the championships is due in 2003, while the deadline for applications is at the end of 2001.

Neither Hungary nor Croatia have ever staged a major international football tournament. The next European Championship will be held in 2004 in Portugal.