Euro 2012

Coach: Leo Beenhakker
Group B: Germany, Croatia, Austria, and Poland

Introduction

Cause For Optimism

There has never been a better time to be a Polish football fan. A burgeoning squad developing in self belief under the guidance of one of the shrewdest managers around, the time is right for Poland to shake off their tags as international under achievers at Euro 2008.

Qualification for the tournament already indicated that Poland are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Drawn into Group A, with 8 teams, it was always going to be a long haul and their opponents, which included both Portugal and Serbia (both of whom had qualified for the World Cup) as well as Finland and Belgium, looked close. However, the Poles managed to top Group A after a shaky start which saw them loose to Finland, thanks to a 6 match winning streak stretching between matchdays 3 and 9.

The campaign has been overseen by canny Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, who was last seen on the international stage guiding Trinidad and Tobago to their first ever qualification in the World Cup in 2006. The Polish FA managed to persuade the former Feyenoord and Real Madrid coach to come to the Polish national team to try and help turn around their fortunes.

Despite qualifying well for the World Cup in 2006 once at Germany, the Poles flopped badly after starting the tournament with a defeat to Ecuador. They never recovered from that loss and managed only one win in their final game against Costa Rica after already being knocked out of the tournament.

The arrival of Beenhakker couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment with confidence from the fans and media alike low: morale might have been at rock-bottom, but so were prospects for a turnaround. Thus since his arrival the promising results in qualification have unleashed a fresh new wave of optimism surrounding the team and the Dutchman is determined to tap into that with Poland in their first ever European Championships.

A strong Euro 2008 is seen as vital as in 2012 Poland will be co-hosting the tournament with Ukraine. A fresh interest in Polish football is therefore certain to happen, and a strong performance this time around will only boost that.
(more…)

Let no grub spook Poles that if Lack us 300km of freeway ,they’ll Take from us organisation of Euro 2012.It’s a drool.If there won’t be Any disaster , nothing treaten us. – affirmed minister of sport and tourism – Miroslaw Drzewiecki.

Minister arrived to Pabianice for Cremony of opening the football field near band of Schhols no.2 .The field has an artifical pavement within the ‘Orlik 2012’ Project.He underlined that is the most important Project made by Donald Tusk, past the organisation of Euro 2012 .

In every commune will be a field with artifical Grass , Volleyball and Basketball field and building with inter alia changing room.All of the terrain will be compounded and lightened.Center such this will be about 2500.I know from UEFA agents that in no one country were accomplished the Project like this. Against infrastructure for children and youth Poland is very delayed and closing-up to other, higher developer countries and we don’t have Any reasons for which our youth Has worse conditions than colleagues from Germant Or Sweden - said Drzewiecki.

(more…)

The euphoria which gripped Ukraine and Poland on April 18, 2007 after winning the right to host Europe’s football championship, EURO 2012, has come to nothing.

A year after the triumphal hugs and kisses, the two countries’ preparations have progressed so poorly that Football Federation of Ukraine President Hryhoriy Surkis, and Football Federation of Poland President Michal Listkiewicz had to explain the situation in detail to the Union of European Football Association’s executive committee in last March.

The National Agency to Prepare and Host EURO 2012 was established to coordinate all state structures in Ukraine. Its chair, Yevhen Chervonenko, constantly criticizes the Cabinet of Ministers for ignoring his organization’s problems.

“I consider the level of financial support for the Agency by the government to be embarrassing,” he said of the EURO 2012 preparation funding. “The government scoffs not at me (I don’t care — I’m a self-sufficient person), it scoffs at Ukraine,” adding,”I have been spending my own personal money to maintain the agency. The cars, computers in the office – everything was bought with my own money. I have spent and spend without regret.” (more…)

They were completely shocked that they cannot organize the EURO 2012. Few months later they snapped out of the defeat and  attacked. The Italian want to retake our EURO 2012! Antonio Matarrese, the president of Italian football league has already rocked the boat.

- Poland and Ukraine are undeveloped - said Matarrese during the interview for one of the radio stations. If there is anoter country that supports Italy, we are able to organize the championship - he added.

Matarrese does not want to reveal what country he is talking about. It is presumed that about Croatia which unsuccessfully tried (with Hungary) take the initiative of EURO 2012.

The Prime Ministe,r Donald Tusk, ensured the presidents of cities - organizers of the EURO 2012 football championship that the build of stadiums in Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan will be co-financed by the central budget. During a meeting in Warsaw the Prime Minister and the representatives of praticular cities presented a schedule of the championship spadework and

the miniatures of building where the football matches will be played. Additionally, Donald Tusk informed about the calling of the Organizational Committee where he was going to be leader.

The intention of the Wednesday meeting it was not to quiten anybody. EURO championship is a great challenge so we need to work in the high agog. The rebuke of UEFA is not a problem, it is a support. - Tusk comments on the latest Europe Federation rating which put an attention to the ‘delay’ in Polish and Ukrainian preparation to the EURO 2012. The committee included, among others, vice-premiers Waldemar Pawlak and Grzegorz Schetyna, the Minister of Infrastructure - Cezary Grabarczyk, the Minister of Sport and Tourism - Mirosław Drzewiecki, four presidents of the following cities: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw, the representaitve of PZPN and the leaders of all the parliamentary clubs. Tomasz Arabski was pointed as the committee’s secretary. (more…)

The industrial heart of eastern Ukraine was glowing in a beautiful sunset as local heroes Shakhtar Donetsk took on their arch-rivals Dinamo Kiev.

Yet the Soviet-era stadium looked small and a bit too old-fashioned for Shakhtar Donetsk, one of the country’s top teams.

There are concerns that Ukraine may not be ready in time for the Uefa European Football Championships in 2012, which it will co-host with Poland. It will be the most prestigious project that Ukraine has ever co-hosted, and it is expected to attract thousands of fans. But there are fears that the politicians here do not have their eye on the ball. Donetsk is one of four host cities in Ukraine. All of the venues were built by the communists, and they are well past their best, needing to be replaced or renovated. Ukraine has faced one political crisis after another and now the country is preparing for a general election. “The most difficult thing will be to change the attitude, to make the authorities look in the direction of football and start paying attention to the country’s infrastructure,” says Dmitriy Chigrinsky, a player for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine. “It’s no secret that our country needs serious modernisation,” Dmitriy adds.
(more…)

Do the present national squad members have a chance to play?

Polish football was never famous for great, football stars (maybe apart from few exceptions like Boniek, Lato or Deyna).

Goalkeepers

Although slowly, but everything changes for better, because Poles are said to be those who make goalkeepers great (what a pity that only goalkeepers). One should concentrate on this crucial matter and think is it really true, and whom of the present national squad members have a chance to take part in Euro 2012. Not so long ago, we had Jurek Dudek, Adam Matysek… and that’s exactly where the problem began. At present the selector of polish football squad, Leo Beenhaker has a wide choice.

Though he counts on Artur Boruc, he could replace goalkeeper of Celtic Glasgow with Wojtek Kowalewski, Jurek Dudek, Łukasz Fabianski or even Bartosz Bialkowski. Many Polish goalkeepers decide to go aboard where most of them get good marks.

Most of them are underestimated by polish training team ( I don’t want to suggest anything), for example like one of the best goalkeepers of Greek league ( I don’t exaggerate) Arkadiusz Malarz. AEK Athens wants to have this Pole in its line-up, and it is no mean club, what is in favour of the club is the fact that a few days ago authorities of the club from Athens decided to sign a contract with a famous Brazilian representative of “coffee country” Rivaldo. Actually it was Jerzy Dudek who made the road to foreign careers easier for Poles, at first defending the access to goal from Feyenoord Rotterdam, and then being a support of Liverpool for many years. A good play of Dudek made that managers from the British Islands got interested in polish goalkeeping school.

Tomasz Kuszczak for whom wasn’t a place in Herthy Berlin’s line-up moved to West Bromwich Albion, and to Celtic Glasgow moved Artur Boruc who won hearts of “The Boys” funs. A fantastic play of Kuszczak resulted in transferring to one of the most famous English clubs, Manchester United where he is going to become a successor of Edwin Van Der Sar. After the fantastic play of Boruc in Scottish Premier League as well as in Championships League, everyone in the whole Europe talks about him. One said that AC Milan was interested in Boruc (The Winner of Championships League in the current season).

What can we say about Łukasz Fabianski. He is young as well as experienced. The new goalkeeper of Arsenal London will have to wait for his chance to play in the first team “Kanonierow”, but young age, charisma and experience on the football pitch allow him to show himself to his best advantage in England. Bartosz Bialkowski his fantastic plays alternates with injuries and spends time on substitutes’ benches, however he is worthy of attention. He had several or even more than ten great performances on the Coca Cola Championships pitches where his career also began Tomasz Kuszczak.

Wojciech Kowalewski is not anymore a goalkeeper of Spartak Moscow. After losing his place in Spartak Moscow he was for some time a captain of Russian team. But as an experienced “Gibon” he showed many times that he could defend the goal, so if he quickly changes club and he still belongs to the first line-up he will be able to come back to squad. Polish goalkeeping school is well respected in Europe and one should hope that this fact won’t change for a long time or at least till Euro 2012.

Jerzy Dudek- because of the age he doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Artur Boruc- if he still is in a good shape he eliminates his all faults (including lack of concentration), he will have a chance to become a world-class goalkeeper and the first goalkeeper of Polish squad during Euro 2012.
Łukasz Fabianski- if he starts playing in Arsenal, he will have a chance to take part in Euro 2012.

Tomasz Kuszczak- a play in the first line-up of team club is now the only problem of this contestant
Artur Malarz- is my personal favourite and maybe some day he will be a star of the squad. If he still plays as good as now, I’m sure that the team training squad will take notice of him.
Wojciech Kowalewski- he is not young, so I think he won’t take part in Euro 2012.

Defenders

The defend of Polish football squad maybe is not as efficient as “Czestochowa defend” and as solid as The Wall of China, but we can still talk about it as one of the best formation of the current Leo Beenhaker’s team.

An experience and youth, charisma and youthful imagination, great actions on the opponent’s goal and extremely simple mistakes called in football jargon “miscues”. All that happens to every defensive block, every team in the world, because football world doesn’t have yet an ideal team, and Polish squad certainly doesn’t belong to it. Beginnings are always tough, like it was from the beginning of Beenhaker’s work in our country.

White and red defenders didn’t deprive an experienced Dutchman of many nerves and unfortunate interventions causing heart palpitation. First matches with Denmark, later with Finland showed that “Don Leo” would have a lot of work… work which caused that today a fantastic play of our defenders helps in victories with many rivals (Portugal) who are rank higher than we are. But this fantastic play doesn’t protect us from humiliating defeats (Armenia). Fortunately there are less defends and one should hope that it won’t change for a long time. At present an experienced and popular “mosquito” that is Jacek Bak is the strength of our defence.

Many years which were spent on the French pitches in colours of Lyon or RC Lens now result in experience and charisma in squad’s play. Recently Bak signed a contract with Austria Vienna, trying to rebuild his importance and one should hope that Bak thanks to play on the Austrian pitches will be able to keep current shape for some time. Pawel Golanski, Michal Zewlakow, Marcin Wasilewski and Grzegorz Bronowicki are wings of our defence. Player’s form has an influence on who will play but it is known that one never (or very seldom) meets such situation when everybody is health or doesn’t complain about injuries. The first of them a defensive player of Kolporter Korona Kielce, is a player who thanks to fantastic play in Orange Extraclass won position in Polish squad and became one of many Beenhaker’s “new discoveries”.

A fantastic play not only in Polish league but also in some squad plays, resulted in interest from many western managers, and thanks to a trip abroad Golanski could develop his skills. Michal Zewlakow is after Bak the most experienced defensive player who is under Beenhaker’s wing. The player of Olympiakos Pireus had many selectors and he is still one of the most reliable players. An excellent play, calculation, experience and refinement in many football societies confirm that “Zewlak” is a defensive player of European class. The former player of Lech Poznan, Marcin Wasilewski decided to continue Polish tradition in Anderlecht Brussels and when an opportunity occurred he went abroad. Brilliant plays from the beginning of stay on the Belgian pitches, allowed him to won a permanent position in team. A speed and effectiveness at the rival’s goal are the greatest assets of Wasilewski. Grzegorz Bronowicki is another player from Orange Extraclass.

A fantastic dribbling, great speed and excellent play in match against Portugal showed that Beenhaker wasn’t wrong when he counted on a defensive player of Warsaw League. The centre of defence is completed mostly by football players of Vistula Cracow. Dariusz Dudka perhaps the most versatile football player in our squad on one hand can play very well and on the other hand he can mess up everything. Concentration, cunning on the pitch and lack of experience are the main flaws of Polish player. Adam Kokoszka is a player in whom believes the selector, and who still hasn’t gained trust of coaches from “White Star”. Kokoszka is certainly a promising player but in order to develop his skills he has to start playing in team club.

Arkadiusz Radomski can also play in defence but he suffers from injuries. Arkadiusz Glowacki is still a player who can develop, but he appears rarely in squad. At present Grzegorz Bartczak from Zaglebie Lublin and Jakub Wawrzyniak, a new player of League Warsaw want to play in squad.

Jacek Bak- because of his age, he doesn’t have a chance to play during Euro 2012

Pawel Golanski- a trip abroad in the West and solid shape can make that this player will be a support of squad during championships

Grzegorz Bronowicki- the same situation as in case of Pawel Golanski
Marcin Wasilewski- provided he still plays as now, he can believe in his participation in Euro 201
Dariusz Dudka- he must eliminate many flaws in his play, however I think he has a big chance
Adam Kokoszka- one, great unknown
Arkadiusz Radomski- frequent injuries, lack of solid shape and age are these factors which eliminate this player from a play in Euro 2012.

Mildfieders

Formation which consists of halfbacks is next to the defensive block the most important formation in very football team. Without perpendicular footballs from midfielders or high passes in the direction of penalty area from wingers, forwards wouldn’t score a goal.

The Polish squad can boast about very good assistance. Mariusz Lewandowski is a mildfieder. The player of Szlachta Donieck played on various footballer’s positions but during Leo Beenhaker’s term he started playing on the position of a halfback. “Left” has an extremely strong shot from a distance, he can also assist and interfere with rivals’ action which is his main task. Euzebiusz Smolarek and Jacek Krzynowek take up positions as wingers.

First of them, is the player of German Boruss Dortmund, but one says that before the beginning of a new season he will have to find a new employer. “Ebi” is very good as a forward, but in the squad his position is a winger. A good speed, experience, dribbling, cunning and effectiveness are the main assets of this player which make him indispensable in white-red team. Jacek Krzynowek takes up position on the other side of a pitch. The former player of 1.FC Nuernberg and Bayer Leverkusen where he achieved great successes also in Championships League, and at present the player of VFL Wolfsburg belongs to that kind of people who always regardless of situation do their utmost and with their strength they want to help a team. Many years which were spent in the squad under various selectors’ tutelage make him a football player who has incomparable value and experience for the national team. For one is hard to imagine the squad without “Krzynio”.

Lukasz Gargula is a midfielder of our national team. The midfielder from Belchatow treats the groin’s injury but when he is in good shape and enjoys health he becomes confident in his football actions and with unprecedented intelligence leads a play of national team. One says that he should go abroad and certainly a trip abroad to good western club could help him in developing his talent and skills, but only when he would have a position in the first line-up of his team.

Maciej Iwanski can effectively replace Gargula. The midfielder of Polish champion, Zaglebie Lublin has predispositions to become a football star of at least European stature. Great insight of a pitch, an effective technique and very good elements of play make him an ideal football player.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak is a football star who promotes Poland in the Iberian Peninsula. The new player of FC Porto has already enjoyed a good reputation in Europe. A tall, of physical strength, agile and having extremely strong shot from a distance this player can’t make big impression in the squad, but one should hope that his time will come.

Jakub Blaszczykowski is one of the few Polish football players who has a big chance to become a world-class football star. The new winger of Boruss Dortmund possesses speed and dribbling. He is not afraid of any rival and he does not have scruples when he passes players like proverbial “beanpoles”. Radoslaw Sobolewski is a typical player who is meant to be a central midfielder. A real “tough guy” who is not afraid of rounds with opponents. The football player of Vistula Cracow has recently lost his position in starting football team of Leo Beenhaker.

Wojciech Lobodzinski and Rafal Murawski are players who because of the presence in the squad more experienced football players do not have a permanent position although the second one has already started matches in the squad. One should hope that they will still develop and the national team will find them useful.

Jacek Krzynowek- because of his age, practically doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Euzebiusz Smolarek- during Euro 2012 can be a support and one of the most experienced football players of our squad
Maciej Iwanski- if the develops and goes West, he will have a chance to take part in Euro 2012
Jakub Blaszczykowski- the world before him is wide open. During Euro 2012 he has a chance to be one of the greatest football stars
Lukasz Gargula- if he hasn’t severe injuries, he goes West and doesn’t waste his talent, he will have a big chance to take part in Euro 2012
Wojciech Lobodzinski- the same situation as in case of Maciej Iwanski
Radoslaw Sobolewski- because of his age and weak form, practically he doesn’t have a chance to take part in Euro 2012

Poles and Ukrainians have serious technical problems, but Italians can relieve them and take over duties of the organizer of Euro 2012 at any time- we read in today’s edition of the “Dziennik”.

These words were said by Giancarlo Abete, chairman of FIGC (Italian Football Federation). After Wednesday’s match of Ukraine with Italy Abete announced:- Problems of Poland and Ukraine are well-known for us. We are constantly outdistancing them because we do not count on politicians but we do our job- we build stadiums, develop infrastructure. If UEFA appreciates our effort and figures out that Poland and Ukraine won’t manage, we will be ready. (more…)

It left only 1800 days to the greatest event in the history of Poland. Although decision concerning organization of the European Football Championships in Poland and Ukraine was taken four months ago, the Government still hasn’t taken a list of investment which have to be carried out till the opening of Euro 2012, and also hasn’t prepared package of legal-organization changes which introduction in life is essential for Poland so as not to bring shame in the European arena…

Euro 2012 is not only a chance for historic sports success(Poles so far haven’t played in the European Football Championship finals) but also a chance for the promotion of the country as well as a chance for binging forward the realization of some cultural backwardness. After four months since granting the right to organize football championships it seems, that for the government institutions this decision was like a bolt out of the blue. Although nearly the next day after announcing the name of countries - finals host government and parliamentary policymakers announced bringing forward the realization of strategic investments, and no binding decisions has been taken till the middle of August. – There is no doubt that organization of Euro 2012 will initiate many positive processes which results can be perceptible for a long time. The motion, improvement in the realization of projects, simplifications of some procedures connected with realization of great investments are things which we need- says Wladyslaw Ortyl, deputy minister of regional development. (more…)

Recently we have many hotels and apartments offers from polish cities

Gdansk

Gdansk is the Polish maritime capital with the population nearing half a million. It is a large center of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. Lying on the Bay of Gdansk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea the city is a thousand years old. With its Hanseatic tradition, it has for ages played a major role in the commercial relationships between Northern and Western Europe on the one hand, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the other hand. Today, Gdansk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration center.

The sleeping capacity of Gdansk outside the hotel system amounts to 9214 (youth hostels - 358 persons, camping fields - 360 persons, private lodging – 3208 persons, student dormitories - 5288 persons).

As of the end of 2004 in Pomerania Region there were over 800 facilities offering accommodation, including 95 hotels of all categories, within 75 km distance from Gdansk. Those facilities offer the total sleeping capacity of 90 thousand. Additionally the region has its own lodging base, e.g. private lodgings, agrotourism farms. Their total sleeping capacity is about 300 thousand. Dynamic development of tourism in this region allows for an assumption that by 2012 the sleeping capacity of available accommodation will increase by 30-45%, mainly in facilities of medium and high class. Look at the Gdansk hotels offer

Poznan

Poznań is a city in west-central Poland with over 578,900 inhabitants (2002). Located by the Warta River, it is one of the oldest cities in Poland, making it an important historical centre. Poznań’s impressive cathedral is the earliest cathedral in the country, containing the tombs of the first Polish rulers: duke Mieszko I, king Boleslaus the Brave, king Mieszko II, duke Casimir I the Restorer, duke Przemysł I and king Przemysł II.
Today the city is a vibrant centre of trade, industry, and education. Poznań is Poland’s 5th largest city and 4th biggest industrial centre. It is also the administrative capital of the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Look at the Poznan hotels offer

Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and its largest city. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 370 kilometers (229.9 mi) from both the Baltic Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of 2006 was estimated at 1,700,536, with a metropolitan area of approximately 2,900,000 to 3,000,000 people. The city area amounts to 516.9 square kilometers (199.6 sq mi), with an agglomeration of 6,100.43 square kilometers (2,355.4 sq mi) (Warsaw Metro Area - Obszar Metropolitalny Warszawy). Warsaw is the 7th biggest city in the European Union.

In the capital city and in the radius of 75 km from the city center there are many pensions, inns, youth hostels, student dormitories, camping fields, tourist centers, private lodgings and other night lodgings, which can provide additional accommodation during UEFA EURO 2012. Those facilities offer the total sleeping capacity of approximately 23,000, of standard varying from high to tourist (i.e. camping fields). Some of those facilities are located in areas attractive for tourists (e.g. Zalew Zegrzynski, Puszcza Kampinoska, Puszcza Kozienicka, Wisla, Pilica). Look at the Warsaw Hotels offer

Wroclaw

Wroclaw – the capital of Lower Silesia - is one of the oldest cities of Poland. Its turbulent history is embedded in the city walls and buildings. Thus, the city abounds in historic sights erected in various epochs and in different architectural styles.

Apart from being charmingly historic, Wroclaw is also a well-known cultural centre offering world-famous artistic events like music concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, international exhibitions.

In Wroclaw and its neighborhood there are many sites offering accommodation - cheap hotels, tourist houses, motels, youth hostels and camping fields. The total of: 62 hotels and tourist houses, 5 hostels, 4 camping fields and bivouac fields, with sleeping capacity of about 17,000. Look at the Wroclaw hotels offer

Chorzow

Chorzow, located in the very heart of the Katowice agglomeration, was only a few years back a typical Upper Silesian centre of huge industry. Transformations, taking place in the country along with a decade of the restored self-government caused the change of the city image.
The city has become more beautiful. It has been developing and utilising its capacities: central location in the region, convenient railway connections, already existing and constructed road arteries (Cross-Town Route and A-4 Motorway), close proximity to an airport in Pyrzowice, Katowice - the capital of the Voivodeship of Silesia in the immediate vicinity, traditions of the powerful craftsmanship environment, prospering trade and services, as well as the unique in Europe Voivodeship Culture and Leisure Park located within the city limits. Look at the Chorzow hotels offer

Cracow

rakow, a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. For centuries Krakow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world. It is their talents and imagination we must thank for the city’s rich legacy of unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture.
The renaissance Royal Castle at Wawel, the gothic St Mary’s Basilica, the historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the former separate Jewish city of Kazimierz, and even the Nowa Huta district, absorbed by Krakow together with its socialist-realist, industrial architecture, are all places which make a visit to Krakow extremely worthwhile.

Krakow and its nearest surroundings offer a vast accommodation base (apart from hotels). In Krakow itself hostels, private lodgings, dormitories and camping fields have sleeping capacity of about 20 thousand. In the radius of 75 km from the stadium, there are facilities other than hotels with sleeping capacity of about 3000. The number of facilities offering such accommodation is constantly growing, which will help guarantee adequate sleeping capacity by 2012. Look at the Cracow hotels offer

Warsaw

The National Stadium in Warsaw which has a capacity of 60 thousand seats will be built in the place where at present is the 10th Anniversary Stadium, or next to Washington roundabout in Prague-South. According to current conception the National Stadium is expected to be the main element of a sports-recreational centre (“the National Sport Centre”) which will including among others: a pool with Olympic parameters, a sports-auditorium hall on 15 thousand seats, as well as commercial part (shop centres, gastronomic centres).

The Central Sports Centre in Warsaw is the institution which is responsible for realization of investments. The whole investment is estimated at about 1,2 mld zlotys including cost of the stadium- about 650 mln zlotys.

The whole complex should be finished around 2010. The National Stadium is expected to be one of the main centres of the European Football Championships Euro 2012- where according to the original scheme it will be played among others: the opening match, some of the group matches, one quarter-final and one semi-final.

Towards the end of April 2007 the mayor of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, made a decision about the conditions of building development and developing of land for the investment of building the National Stadium.

Warsaw

Baltic Arena in Gdańsk which has a capacity of 44 thousand seats will be built in the part of city called Letnica, in the place, where at present are allotments. Liquidation of allotments – according to declarations of city authorities is expected to last at the most till the middle of 2008. The cost of investment which according to scheme will be finished around 2010 is estimated at about 900 mln zlotys.

There are expected to be played some group matches and one quarter final during the European Football Championships. Every day- apart from championships- Lechia Gdańsk is supposed to play matches in the stadium.

Baltic Areas Stadium is regarded to be the most attractive project of the stadium among all objects which were offered by Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012 matches. Our shape- especially in graphic symbols for night –resembles amber.

Below you can see the graphic symbols of the stadium in Gdańsk.

Wrocław

Olympic Stadium built in the interwar period is a stadium proposed by Wrocław in the official offer of Poland and Ukraine on Euro 2012.

According to conception of stadium conversion it is expected to reach capacity over 40 thousand seats and is expected to be a part of sports center, with a swimming pool, a sports hall, a shooting range, tennis courts and also shop centres and gastronomic centres.

Below you can see graphic symbols of Olympic Stadium after planned conversion.

Organizers of the European championships make plans for playing some group matches in Warsaw.

But after granted organization of championships to Poland and Ukraine authorities in Wrocław addressed building project of a new stadium for Euro 2012. This stadium would be located in Drzymaly Street in the part of city called Maslice. There are no projects of stadium so far, and possible realization of this conception depends on the possibility of obtaining by the city additional funds (a new stadium is estimated at over 100 mln EUR0).

So an issue concerning the choice of stadiums in Wrocław where the European championships matches would be played stays unnegotiated.

Poznan

The Municipal Stadium in Poznan in Bulgarska Street was built and was put into use in 1980. Lech Poznan plays their matches on this stadium.

Because of the European Football Championships the conversion of stadium is planned and this allows among others to enlarge its capacity almost twice (to 44 thousand seats). A car park for about 4000 parking spots and training field will be built. According to schemes of city authorities modernization is expected to finish in 2008. The cost of this investment is estimated at about 200 mln zlotys.

During the European Football Championships some group matches are expected to be played.

Below you can see graphic symbols of the Municipal Stadium in Poznan after finishing conversion.

The object in Poznan is the most advanced, as regards workmanship, the stadium which is suggested on the basic list of the Polish stadiums which will play host to footballers during the European championships in 2012.

Chorzow

Silesian Stadium in Chorzow is the largest existing sports stadium in Poland. From 1993 it functions as the national stadium for Polish football representation. The stadium is a part of Regional Centre of Culture and Sport in Chorzow, located near the border of Chorzow and Katowice.

Present capacity of stadium is over 47 thousand seats, and planned modernization is expected to led to increase this number to about 60 thousand seats. The conversion should be finished around 2010. Additionally, stadium stand are expected to be roofed over. The cost of this investment is estimated at about 90 mln zlotys.

Silesian Stadium in Chorzow was proposed as a substitute stadium in the official offer of Poland and Ukraine to organize the European Football Championships. However, in case of granting UEFA permission to increase the number of cities which participate in championships form 8 to 10 (what is likely – that what happened among others in the last championships in Portugal) stadium in Chorzow will be certainly one of the championships centres.

Cracow

Stadium Vistula Cracow in Reymont Street was built in the 50s, is at present (from 2004) under conversion. Modernization which is in progress has to increase capacity of stadium almost twice- from the existing 20 thousand seats to about 35 thousand. Not only the enlargement of stand is planned including stand addition in the corners but also building a two level main stand, as well as their complete roofing. The conversion should be finished around 2010.

Stadium Vistula in Cracow was proposed as a substitute stadium in the official offer of Poland and Ukraine to organize the European Football Championships. However, in case of granting UEFA permission to increase the number of cities which participate in championships form 8 to 10 (what is likely – that what happened among others in the last championships in Portugal) stadium in Cracow will be certainly one of the championships centres.

Below you can see graphic symbols of Stadium Vistula after finishing conversion.

An agreement setting up a coalition of Polish and Ukrainian employers for Euro 2012 soccer Championship was signed here Monday by head of the Confederation of Polish Employers Andrzej Malinowski and Ukrainian Economy Minister and head of the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Businessmen Anatoly Kinakh, Polish PAP news agency reported.

The coalition will support projects related to infrastructure and transport, sports infrastructure, development of accommodation and catering and the two countries world-wide promotion.

(more…)

Kiev (ANTARA News) - The rights to broadcast the Euro 2012 football championships are going to be sold for one billion euros, Adam Olkowicz, head of the Polish committee for organizing the championships, said Saturday in Yalta.

“Only the TV broadcasting rights to Euro 2012 will be sold for one billion euros, which will be a record. Big earnings are expected for UEFA. The countries organizing the championships will also get a big economic gain,” he said during the round table ‘Euro 2012: what it will bring to Ukraine’. (more…)

Poland and Ukraine today won the bid to host the UEFA EURO 2012 Soccer Championship. The decision by the UEFA Executive Committee came as a most welcome surprise for two nations currently mared by political crisis. Beating the odds against favourite contender Italy, UEFA in a seminal decision opted for development instead of profit. By this brave and strategic decision, UEFA clearly showed that soccer is a concern for all or Europe, and not merely a concern of mighty nations of the EU.

Sport is politics. This has been evident ever since the 1933 Berlin Olympics. Who gets to host a major international sports’ event has enormous profits to gain economically and in terms of goodwill. However, it is also a big gamble, as the opposite is equally true if organisers fail to successfully go trough with the event. Then, it involves great losses in both profit and prestige for the states concerned.

Faced by such considerations, the UEFA Executive Committee still decided for the Poland-Ukraine joint candidacy. The main contender and favourite was Italy, which already has the necessary infrastructure in terms of arenas, airports, roads, etc. However, what in the end seems to have turned the tide against Italy, are the recent bribery scandals and hooligan riots that so has tarred the image of Italian soccer internationally. This was not the case with with Poland and Ukraine, but this positive image may also prove an unwelcome blessing for Warzaw and Kiev.

(more…)

Uefa president Michael Platini reveals the surprise hosts of Euro 2012

Poland and Ukraine have been chosen to host the 2012 European Championships. Italy was widely expected to win the Uefa vote in Cardiff, with another joint bid from Croatia and Hungary also in the running.

However, Italy’s bid was overshadowed by last season’s referee corruption scandal and on-going problems with football-related crowd trouble.

It will be the first time that either Poland or Ukraine has hosted a major football championship.

Poland and Ukraine will host Euro 2012

Uefa president Michel Platini said: “Poland and Ukraine are surely a worthy winner. However, there are no losers today, rather only bids that have not won this time round.”

Platini’s announcement prompted scenes of jubilation in the host countries.

Polish Football Association chairman Michal Listkiewicz said: “There are 85 million people now waiting for this big football event.

“The friendship between our nations has a very long history. This big tournament will be an important milestone in the history of our two Slavic nations.”

His comments were echoed by Ukrainian football federation president Hryhory Surkis.

“This is a decisive day for our country. It will provide new opportunities for our country as it strives to integrate with Europe,” he said.

(more…)