Euro 2008: Sun Takes a Shine to Poland

Given its usual full-throated backing for England in football tournaments, this may be considered something of an about-turn. But with home nations absent from this summer's Euro 2008 tournament, the Polish football team will be hoping it will be the Sun that can help them win it.

It remains to be seen whether the team will get the full "page 3 girls in a double-decker bus and free plastic hats for all" treatment, but the News International tabloid is considering producing a series of one-off Polish-language editions next month to coincide with the tournament.

The 48-page editions would feature news translated from the UK edition as well as special sports content. A News International spokeswoman said nothing had been confirmed but advanced discussions are believed to be taking place at the newspaper's Wapping headquarters.

The move is an attempt to tap into the Polish pound. There are already at least three Polish-language radio stations in London as well as a string of Polish-language newspapers.

As retailers and publicans attempt to compensate for the bonanza lost when England failed to qualify for the tournament, they are expected to stock up on Polish beers and snacks. Polish products have already become a familiar sight on supermarket shelves.

The Sun's stablemate, the Times, already has a syndication deal with Polish newspaper Polska that allows it to publish stories from the newspaper on its pages.

ITV and the BBC are bracing themselves for complaints next month when the live televised matches will dominate prime time because of the legislation under which international football tournaments are reserved for broadcast on free-to-air television, usually on the main channels.