Euro-2012 News Online

 Mikhail Dobkin, Kharkov municipal chairman said this news to the journalists on September, 29.

According to Mr. Dobkin, some companies, having taken responsibility for building hotels faced problems and so the responsibilities aren’t kept.

“Mortgage lending is stopped, building companies allocate funds to finish residential buildings and as a result break terms of starting construction of two hotels” - noted M. Dobkin. He also informed at the moment talks are held with large investment company. “I guess soon we’ll have meeting with regional authorities as to building new Palace for kids and youth near “Nauchnaya” metro station. Instead of the previous Palace (at “University” metro station) will appear new 5-star hotel”- stated M. Dobkin.

 Reconstruction of Olimpiyskiy sports arena in Kiev where final football match of Euro-2012 will be held will start in December, as stated vice Prime Minister Ivan Vasyunik.

“At this moment I have all the reasons to think that we’ll pass this level. We’ll start reconstruction and finish it in time” - cites the words of vice Prime Minister UNIAN, Ukrainian information agency.

According to Mr. Vasyunik by the end of November there is to be signed agreement with general contractor of the sports arena reconstruction. Vice Prime Minister also added the dismantling works at the major Euro-2012 object are virtually coming to the end. 

Earlier I. Vasyunik informed that according to the reconstruction project and approved work schedule reconstruction of Olimpiyskiy would be finished by 2010.

German GMP von Gerkan, Marg und Partner architectural office carried out development of project documents on stadium’s reconstruction.

Three work stages are outlined: presentation of conceptual project during 60 days period; working project, which is to be presented in 180 days (construction works carried out at the same time); working documents (simultaneous construction maintenance till 2010).

The first stadium for Europe Football Championship 2012, which Ukraine will host together with Poland, was opened in Dnepropetrovsk on September, 15. New “Dniper” arena which seats 31.000 spectators cost to its organizers $40 mln. “Dniper” was constructed with the help of Turkish and Ukrainian builders. Its construction started long before Ukraine and Poland were announced as host-countries of Euro-2012.

The next Euro-2012 object to open its doors will be 53.000 stadium in Donetsk. According to preliminary estimates EUR 173 mln will be spent on its construction. Its official opening is to take place on June 1^st, 2009 after laying the lawns and creating landscape and park in the nearby territory.

 UEFA President Michel Platini commented upon decision of executive office to preserve the right of Ukraine and Poland to host Euro-2012. “Executive office has confirmed that UEFA means holding Euro-2012 in Poland and Ukraine. At the same time executive office is anxious about solving a bunch of issues for successful carrying out of the project” - noted M. Platini.

“In future UEFA may leave the co-organizers without the Championship. Big importance plays successful fulfillment of the works in the major arenas of Kiev and Warsaw. That’s serious element of the project. Without stadiums in Kiev or Warsaw we can’t hold the Championship” - claimed M. Platini.

“But even if we have just amazing arenas we still need hotels and airports. There aren’t airports yet. We were promised the highways will be constructed. Kiev and Warsaw authorities have to solve all these problems” - said UEFA President.

“I’m satisfied with passed decision. This means we continue on with our preparation. We have to move forward and improve our infrastructure. But still we didn’t manage to achieve progress satisfying UEFA” - stated FFU President Grigory Surkis.

We remind that Ukraine and Poland kept the right for organization and hosting Europe Football Championship 2012.

 The UEFA committee has brought forward string of terms which the hosts of 2012 Championship have to carry out so that in four years they could hold final stage of the Championship. UEFA noted that national organizations responsible for project implementation have committed some faults lacking the experience and rigidity, as a result the development of infrastructure necessary for high quality hosting of the Championship was actually slowed down.

In the last six months both countries have achieved much progress at the organizational level and in infrastructure development. However, the progress isn’t all-round one and is also unsteady.

The executive office pointed out a string of terms which are to be carried out in order the project could develop. 

• Both countries have to go on doing their best as any slow down may risk hosting the Championship in these countries.
• UEFA will decide how many stadiums and which of them will host the Championship. There can be minimum 6 and maximum - 8 stadiums, considering the contracts signed with 8 stadiums, cities and airports.
• Number of stadiums (cities) not necessarily will be equal in both countries.
• Finishing construction work of Kiev and Warsaw stadiums remains the cornerstone project constituent.
• Governments of both countries should support their national associations and keep to the terms given to UEFA relating to the project, especially those concerning accommodation and transport infrastructure.

We remind you that Ukraine and Poland preserved their right for organizing and hosting Europe Football Championship 2012.

 Preparation for Euro-2012 was described by Y. Timoshenko as a nice result

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko commented on yesterday’s decision of UEFA executive office as to Europe Football Championship 2012.

Madam Timoshenko greeted such decision of the UEFA having added that Ukraine and Poland have shown good preparation results and demonstrated that “Two countries - one team” motto isn’t just words, as informs Cabinet of Ministers’ press-agency.

“I’m grateful to Ukrainian members of the Government, Football Federation of Ukraine, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, Polish partners and to all those who make football holiday closer every day”, - stated Prime Minister.

Y. Timoshenko underlined that football is important not only like sport. For the last 17 years of Ukraine’s independence football player Andrey Shevchenko has done for our country’s recognition all over the world much more than ministers, officials and deputies all together.

“We’ll not only organize well the Championship. I’m sure teams of Ukraine and Poland will by all means play in the final in our wonderful Olympic stadium” - predicted result of the Championship Y. Timoshenko.

We remind that Ukraine and Poland preserved the right for organization and hosting Europe Football Championship 2012.

UEFA committee has set string of terms which hosts of the Championship 2012 have to carry out so that in 4 years they could host final part of the Championship.

Football Federation of Poland President Michal Listkewich admitted on September, 25 that his country isn’t ready enough for the organization of Continental Championship in 4 years.

Mikhail Dobkin, Kharkov municipal chairman has ordered developing “Euro-2012 objects on Kharkov map” special tourist route.   As informs press-agency for Kharkov municipal council the idea is connected with municipal government’s initiative to provide for all those who want to possibility of getting acquainted with preparation state of Euro-2012 objects in the city.  To carry out given order there are attracted professionals of local private tourist firm. In a month period they’ll develop new tourist route.  It’s foreseen to include in the route all the objects from the General plan of Kharkov infrastructure objects involved in hosting final part of Europe Football Championship 2012 Presentation of “Euro-2012 objects on Kharkov map” tourist route is planned to be held in October, 2008.