Host Countries of the EURO 2012 in Crisis
By Emeli Dean
The two neighboring countries Poland and Ukraine were chosen by the UEFA executive committee last year as the hosts for the 14th football Euro Cup in 2012. The event, which takes place between June 9th and July 1st, will be the first Euro Cup hold by Eastern Europe countries.
In the middle of 2005 Poland and Ukraine delivered their communal application to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). In total they presented eight stadiums they want to use as venues. Probably the most expensive stadium is located in Donezk, in the fifth biggest city in Ukraine. The work started in 2004 and was financed with over $250 million. The construction of the 50.000-seated new stadium was managed by the businessman Rinat Achmetow, who became the president of the Ukrainian football club Schachtar Donzek. One of the most important games to be played in this stadium will be one of the semifinals of the tournament.
While Poland is overwhelmed about the decision, Ukraine is a little more skeptical. Indeed the two countries applied together for this event but they probably did never think on this outcome. In Poland they already announced big plans using the sponsorship for the EURO 2012. A politician commented: “This is a big success for the government and for the entire Polish nation. It is also a big chance. For this championship we will built freeways, hotels and stadiums”.
The partnership with Ukraine is also considered to be a political signal since they are now trying to become an EU member after the “orange revolution”. Ukraine also links the EURO 2012 with hope for a process of unity in this huge country which fluctuates between the EU and Russia, between modernization and conservation. In contrast to Poland, Ukraine still does not see itself to be able to accomplish all the requirements of the UEFA in the given time frame.
In July this year UEFA inspectors made a short visit to Ukraine and for a good reason, since the country has not shown tangible progress regarding the upcoming event, despite all this long time they already had to prepare. The political situation, insufficient security, missing infrastructure, corruption and the delay of the construction of the stadiums raised the concerns and created frustration and enviousness. Additionally to this, the international financial crisis also affects the progress since it has forced the country to a building freeze. The new UEFA president Michel Platini said: “If there won’t be any stadiums in Kiev and Warsaw, the Euro Cup will not be held there.”
In July there was a talk about a possible reallocation of the host, but the UEFA communication director William Gaillard made it very clear that this item does not appear on the agenda. There was also the rumor that Germany may participate in exchange for Ukraine, but this announcement was also dismissed by the German Football Federation (DFB) general secretary.
So far it seems to be no final decision. On one side Platini demands more hardness and pressure. He finds that the two countries shouldn’t be separated for the organization since they have applied together and so they should bear the consequences together; meaning that either they do it together or both lose the chance to host the EURO 2012. On the other side it is understood that there is supposed to be an emergency plan with the German cities Berlin and Leipzig as new venues besides the ones in Poland. Just in case that Ukraine cannot manage to accomplish all the requirements, we may enjoy the German hospitality once again.
About the Author
Emeli Dean is a high-ranking writer on sports for the football betting industry. You can also find more of her work at http//:www.instantactionsports.com
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