Euro-2012 News Online

Euro-2012 will be hosted in Ukraine and Poland or nowhere at all. These were the words of UEFA’s President Michel Platini to Italian journalist in the interview to “La Stampa” edition.

Chief European Football leader noted he’s optimistic about this issue and reminded once more of two major conditions for hosting Euro-2012: readiness of National stadium in Warsaw and Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev.

Responding to journalists’ questions what will happen in case of failure to carry out the terms Michel Platini underlined that “in this case no matches will be held at all”. However, as he added later on, “they’ll decide on it in the right time”. 

Ukraine and Poland gained right to host Europe Football Championship final 2012 in April, 2007. The main rival for Kiev and Warsaw’s applications was Italy. Taking the information in consideration Italian mass-media are often speculating on the question of switching host-country for hosting Europe Football Championship final in 2012.

UEFA announced registration for purchasing media rights to broadcast Europe Football Championship 2012 matches which will be held in Ukraine and Poland.

The companies interested in winning the rights can send their applications till January 20^th, 2009. Additional information on the bids process will be provided for them later, informs RAR.

UEFA’s convicted when media rights for Euro-2012 are sold it can gain as much as it gained for the Championship hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

“We’re sure like it was with successful Championship in 2008, the next one will bring at least similar profit” - says UEFA press-secretary Rob Faukler.

UEFA’s planning to sell media rights for Euro-2012 to the most appealing European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain or Great Britain.

UEFA made profit of EUR 250 mln for the last Championship. Total turnover reached EUR 1.3 bln, 750 mln of which was gained through selling rights for broadcasting matches on the TV, Internet and mobile phones.

As states Mr. Faukler, Europe Football Championship ranks third in the world after World Cup and Summer Olympic Games for the number of sport events’ spectators.

 UEFA has announced of its contest for the right to cover Euro-2012 mapped for the beginning of next year.

During the contest Europe will be divided in several major sectors which are going to be considered separately. Those agencies and broadcasting companies desiring to acquire rights to cover the Championship can already begin filling their applications.

Similar to UEFA club tournaments, in particular Champion League and Europe League, rights for Euro-2012 coverage will be sold at the neutral basis. This will provide more flexible technological approach and chance to make coverage from various stages.

Earlier it was mentioned that at the meeting of UEFA Supervisory Board for Euro-2012 UEFA reps claimed they don’t discredit ability of Poland and Ukraine to successfully organize Europe Football Championship 2012.

William Gaillard, adviser of UEFA President Michel Platini denied Platini’s scandalous statement published in Polish edition of Dziennik that Poland may probably host Europe Football Championship 2012 without Ukraine.

As informs Polish news channel of TVN24, the adviser “strongly objects” possibility of hosting Euro-2012 by Poland alone.

“The information is totally wrong” - he said.

Mr. Gaillard underlined Michel Platini didn’t mention in mass-media of such possibility without excepting that journalists might misunderstand his words.

We remind that UEFA President Michel Platini told to Polish edition of Dziennik that  in case if Olimpiyskiy NSC isn’t reconstructed in a set term Poland will have to host Euro-2012 alone.

Head of FFU Grigory Surkis has yesterday called in question authenticity of Polish newspaper publication.

UEFA President Michel Platini stated that if Olimpiyskiy NSC isn’t reconstructed in term, Poland will host Euro-2012 on its own, as he told to Polish edition of Dziennik

“If Kiev isn’t ready with its stadium, then it’s possible that Europe Championship   will be held only in Poland ” - said Mr. Platini.

Dziennik writes that UEFA President has for the first time claimed of probable hosting of Euro-2012 by Poland alone.

In his interview to the edition published today, Dec.12, M. Platini has also denied possibility of hosting Europe Championship together with Germany.

“You mean Germans? Only when in the site of National Stadium in Warsaw in June, 2012 will  be bulldozers yet. Most likely it’ll never be this way” - said the official.

Michel Platini has highlighted Euro-2012 is of high importance for developing football in the East.

“Euro-2012 can become the best ever Championship for the last several years and also a great chance for you. Football in the East can reach the level you’d never dream of” told M. Platini.

On Wednesday, December 10, Michel Platini stated Poland and Ukraine’s preparation  for Europe Football Championship 2012 came back to normal and  he is “totally assured” of Euro-2012 to be hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

Reconstruction of main arena for Euro-2012 - Olimpiyskiy NSC was started in December, 2008 and is moving on as scheduled.