MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC and ITV have announced plans for shared coverage of the UEFA Euro 2008 Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Live coverage of the group stage will begin on 7 June with the BBC broadcasting the opening match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, and ITV broadcasting the later match between Portugal and Turkey.

During the latter stage of the group phase where matches are played simultaneously, games will be shown live on BBC One, BBCi, ITV1 and ITV channels. Both broadcasters will simulcast all of their games online.

Both broadcasters will show live coverage of two quarter finals and will show one semi-final each, with ITV taking the first pick.

The final will be shown live on BBC One on Sunday 29 June, with highlights on ITV1 later in the evening.

BBC director of sport Roger Mosey said, "We're confident many millions of people will enjoy the tournament on BBC television, radio and online. There will be plenty of familiar faces on the pitch, and some great matches in prospect."

ITV director of news and sport Mark Sharman said, "Euro 2008 is one of the highlights of a huge year of live football on ITV and, with some of the world's best players taking part, we are looking forward to an exciting tournament."