Euro-2012 News Online

On July, 8th Government will consider the updated plan on organization and hosting of Euro-2012 in Ukraine, Delo newspaper reports.

According to the plan Euro-2012 costs 127 bln hryvnyas now.

The document is developed by the Ministry of Economics. The previous plan approved of in February, 2008 assumed overall financing volume for European Championship organization would make 163 bln hryvnyas.

The new plan previews 127 bln for Euro-2012 where 33.4 bln are to be allocated from the state budget. Local authorities should sponsor Championship organization with 6.8 bln and the lion’s share of expenses will fall on private investors (87.2 bln hryvnyas).

If to compare with the previous plan, financing of the Championship organization increased from the state budget due to assignments from Equalization fund and also owing to the law ratified by Verkhovna Rada last week, binding National Bank to transfer almost 10 bln hryvnyas for the needs of Euro-2012 in 2009.

Essential estimate reduction for the Championship is primarily related to the fact that Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk dropped out of the struggle for the right to host matches of Euro-2012.

“Changes are drawn by new UEFA requirements which concern only four cities, instead of six as it was before”, - makes it clear Ilya Shevlak, Head of the Coordinating Bureau on organization and hosting of Euro-2012 in Ukraine. Besides savings were possible owing to canceling of the major circular road construction which would cost 10.4 bln hryvnyas.

Virtually 90 % of all means destined for building and reconstruction of the hotels (39 out of 40 bln hryvnyas) will be allocated by investors. All in all it’s necessary to build 37.56 thousand suites in four host-cities out of which 20.7 thousand in Kiev.

Lvov’s already beaten the UEFA target on hotel accommodation. The city needs to have 2335 suites in 4 and 5-star hotels, whereas 2622 suites are available at the moment.

On July, 10^th Head of the Polish government Donald Tusk declared that Poland doesn’t plan to change Ukraine for other partner in organization and hosting of final matches of European Football Championship in 2012.

The Polish Prime Minister informed on it during the third session of the Ukrainian-Polish committee on preparation and hosting of Euro-2012 final which is taking place in Kiev today.

Donald Tusk claimed that Poland would be thoroughly prepared for the Championship and expressed his hope that Ukraine suffering global recession consequences at the moment would also get ready for Euro-2012 up to the mark.

It should be reminded that Ukraine and Poland keep parity in future Euro-2012 host-cities distribution. Poland’s been left four cities, while Ukraine has Kiev only. Lvov, Donetsk and Kharkov are up in the air.

President of Football Federation of Ukraine Grigory Surkis has called Polish officials to give up on claims of Ukraine’s failure to organize Euro-2012.

We’ve never put it in doubt that Poland might be properly prepared for the Championship, and in the same way I encourage to treat Ukraine respectfully, says G. Surkis.

FFU President also sees it necessary to sign up intergovernmental agreement on consistent mass-media policy accompanying preparation process for Euro-2012 in both the countries.

Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko stated that Ukraine would finally convince UEFA to ratify four cities to host European Football Championship in 2012.

We’re absolutely assured on November, 30th Ukraine will be completely ready to approve of four host-cities for Euro-2012, highlights Mrs. Timoshenko.

All the claims on insufficient financing for the Championship preparation are political and unreasonable means.

Yulia Timoshenko also considers crucial for the positive outcome in the issue well coordinated stand of Ukraine and Poland.

The governor of Dnepropetrovsk region Victor Bondar considers that in November UEFA can reconsider its decision and give back the right to host  final matches of 2012 European Football Championship. 

“I’d rather not say that Euro-2012 won’t take place in Dnepropetrovsk. UEFA can reconsider the decision regarding preparation level of other cities. We continue negotiating with potential investors, preparation for Euro-2012 is still underway and infrastructure’s improving. The bids on airport sales started and in a month we’ll have the results. The main applicant is “Private” Company, its officials agree it is necessary to provide the airport with accommodations satisfying to European standards. They already have 27 aircrafts and 16 are expected to be bought soon. In November UEFA will review its decision “, - says V. Bondar cited by “New bridge”.

One should highlight that airport’s unreadiness is a principal cause why Dnepropetrovsk won’t host matches of Euro-2012.

We remind that UEFA has approved of Kiev to host group level matches of Euro-2012, a quarterfinal match or matches and one semifinal match. The final will only take place in Kiev if by November, 30th, 2009 the discussed conditions concerning stadium, airport infrastructure, local transport and accommodation will be satisfied.

Donetsk, Lvov and Kharkov are not yet approved of as host-cities of group level matches of Euro-2012. Till November 30, 2009 the cities have time to carry out the stipulated conditions on stadiums, airport infrastructure, local transport and accommodation. Those cities which don’t satisfy to requirements till the specified term will not be approved of as hosts for Euro-2012 matches.

Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa aren’t selected  as host-cities and not even considered as backup cities.