Wednesday, 14.12.2011
UEFA President Michel Platini said that Ukraine and Poland had settled the most difficult issues that had emerged during the preparation for EURO 2012. So, today there left in no doubts that upcoming tournament will be grandiose football fiesta. His speech was full of such remarks at the last meeting of the Executive Committee of the Union of Football Associations that took place in Venice lately.
“It was a great challenge not only for host-countries but also for UEFA and we are heading for the victory in this issue,” said the President. “It is a difficult way, however, during few years, Ukraine spared no efforts in order to introduce new and interesting system with an eye to EURO 2012. Today the stadiums are ready, and everything is ok with them.” Michel Platini emphasized that he believed “European championship will be the great tournament not only because of great organization but also of atmosphere and hospitality of Ukraine and Poland’s citizens.”
The UEFA President, while delivering a speech in Venice, also stressed that preparation for European tournament benefited considerably the host-countries improvement. “Ukraine and Poland gained an advantaged: they took a 30-years-step towards the future. Host countries have renovated high-ways, communications, roads, airports. The huge money was invested in the preparation. The tournament will last only three weeks but the infrastructure will serve for years. It’s great news for Ukraine and Poland. In addition, if footballers show the good game, it will be spectacular!”
In the recent interview for Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Post, Michel Platini confessed: “It was a good idea to host EURO 2012 in Ukraine.” Thereby the main football functionary remembered first steps and all difficulties that experienced Ukraine during preparation for the important tournament. “Ukrainian officials have told us in the very begging: “We need people because we don’t know how to organize the event. We lack specialist so we need you, we need UEFA,” Platini told.
Today, according to UEFA President’s estimations, Ukraine is 95% ready to host EURO 2012. Nevertheless, Michel Platini said with regret that Ukraine hadn’t fulfilled the promises, made several years ago, to build 15 km of high-ways and prepare the necessary quantity of hotels for guests and tournaments participants.
Also UEFA President confessed in the interview to Kyiv Post that Union had invested €500 million in that way promoting the football among the population of the co-host countries. However, there are no doubts that invested funds will return. According to official data, European Football Union will earn €1.3 billion from EURO 2012.
