Euro 2012

We need Polish Beckenbauer as soon as it’s possible- it’s the conclusion from the meeting concerning organization of Euro 2012. Franz Beckenbauer, in the past a brilliant footballer, was a chief who led preparations for the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

In the conference which was organized in Warsaw ‘Euro 2012- a chance or a risk?’ representatives of Austria and Switzerland shared their experiences in preparing to next year’s European championships with representatives of Polish municipal government. They discussed preparations to Euro 2012. Conclusions weren’t optimistic…

-I think that we are able to organize championships. It isn’t so complicated, but it seems that no one does nothing. So far we haven’t done a plan. Instead of talking by a few months we should decide who and when has to do something. This is the base- claims well-known enthusiast for football, former premier and at present a chairman of Pekao SA bank Jan Krzysztof Bielecki. – What is important is that we have to appoint a chief of the whole project who will have fixed budget. There is a team in Poland but no one knows if this team has funds. With each month this project is more and more at risk. Someone has to start taking decision. We need Polish Beckenbauer- added Bielecki. (more…)

Safety in stadium in cities-hosts of Euro 2012 its the issue raised during Polish-Ukrainian conference in Dnipropietrovsk. Both countries will be co-hosts of the championships.

Over 60 people take part in the conference which was organized as part of Polish-Ukrainian Self-Government Forum Euro 2012. They are representatives of cities-hosts of Euro 2012, representatives of the Ukrainian policy, the Polish embassy in Kiev and the staff of football federations from the both countries.

‘The European Championships are the third sports event in the world and because of that the requirements of UEFA are huge- said a director for safety in Polish Football Federation Wieslaw Wieczorek. One of the requirements is to come into use all stadiums in June 2012. We already know that it’s impossible and there will be delays. Of course UEFA will be informed about it’. (more…)

Stadium in Donieck will be the first arena of Euro 2012 which will come into use. Its opening is expected to be in July next year- announced the representative of city council Aleksander Gromakow during the conference of Polish-Ukrainian Self-Government Forum Euro 2012.

‘It will be the biggest and the most modern object in the eastern part of Europe. A roof made of glass will be its main feature. Apart from the stunning visual effect it is also a practical solution because it has a good effect on the grass preservation’- said Gromakow.

Stadium is patterned on the modernized Benfica’s object in Lisbon. It will hold 55 thousand spectators and its building cost is estimated on 250 million dollars. (more…)

Poland wants to set a new deadline for the construction of their Euro 2012 stadiums, Sports Minister Elzbieta Jakubiak said on Monday.

Since Poland won the right in April to co-host the event with Ukraine, early euphoria has been replaced by growing concerns it may not prepare new grounds and upgrade inadequate infrastructure in time.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA says the tournament co-hosts must build the necessary stadiums by mid-2010.

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