BERLIN, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - The Portuguese city of Albufeira and the Slovenian city of Velenje have been awarded the rights to host the European Cross Country Championships in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The European Athletics Council made the decision at a meeting here on Friday.

Although Portugal hosted the event in Oeiras in 1997, Albufeira will host the event for the first time in two years time while Velenje has already hosted the championships in 1999.