Euro-2012 News Online

On Friday, August 22 in Football Hall was held final meeting of UEFA expert group that lead planned checking of Euro-2012 objects. At the meeting were also present Ivan Vasyunik, vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Ivan Fedorenko, chairman of Executive management for Euro-2012.The general conclusion picture of European Football Association experts is optimistic and encouraging. It’s noted in last two months period all the Ukrainian structures involved in football forum preparation process have done huge work that brought about drastic changes for the better in every key aspect. Drawing attention to the next steps in this direction UEFA experts look into the future – autumn and winter this year, the next 2009, up to summer 2010.“You’ve very fruitfully spent summer time” – stated Jurgen Muller, UEFA expert for infrastructure. – “The figures changed pretty well, positive dynamics can’t go unnoticed. In many problematic issues red warning marks change into green ones. I wish you and us as well support the pace so that in future we could celebrate successful landmarks in stepping closer to Euro-2012. In their reports Peter Hampson, airports expert and Stefano Manelli, transport expert thanked Ukrainian side for the efforts made in June-August. According to Mr. Hampson significant progress is noted in air gateways issue: “There’s clear direction to go and everyone knows his job. The role of the state is very important, it strictly controls airports issue. If the achieved balance is preserved I’m sure the works will be done in full scope and in set terms”.“Local authorities of host-cities confirmed their guarantees related to transport infrastructure and made more detailed plans of its reconstruction” – informed Mr. Manelli. – “Intended projects are important not only for Euro-2012 but for Ukraine’s future. At the present stage it’s essential to set priorities to concentrate upon in the nearest future”. In this context Ivan Vasyunik drew example of the first concession road which will stretch from Western border to Lvov. Jurgen Muller mentioned the aspects of locating fans and Championship participants highlighting that state guarantees for hotel rooms of related categories grew from 20 to 30 thousand. By December Ukrainian side has to provide UEFA with technical economic reasons for alternative accommodation of Euro-2012 guests. In particular the matter is about cruise liners planned to ride out in Odessa.“As to sports bases their amount and condition in Ukraine I evaluate as “good” and “very good” – noted Mr. Muller. “Anyway certain points should be considered because during long competitions teams need a little bit different conditions than football clubs in their everyday functioning. There’re requirements for players’ accommodation in rooms and in accordance with tactic trainings, if some coaches wish keeping their game secret from outsiders”.                                     Having recommended paying attention to developing country training bases infrastructure Yurgen Muller informed by summer 2010 there’ll be made catalogueof sports bases in Ukraine suitable not only for teams-participants of Euro-2012 but also for further training of European teams during preparatory period of the season.“It is your trump card when after World Championship in RSA football community will switch their attention to final-2012 preparation” – he noted. – “So UEFA offers its help in peculiar PR of Ukrainian training bases”. Ivan Fedorenko expressed his gratitude to all the Ministries and agencies of our country, and also to teams of host-cities for their operative and qualified realization of UEFA plans during last two months.  They’ve created detailed presentations of relating projects and confirmed the guarantees. “The most important is that we work like a single team: UEFA, FFU and structures directly responding for Euro-2012” – he said. – “European counterparts gave us one more positive urge. If we keep up with this pace we’ll go out of risk zones in every sphere and as we hope we’ll host really the best European final”. Ivan Vasyunik noted the tasks set now before the Government are far more large-scaled than solving only football project problems. “Present conditions give us opportunity to effectively improve the whole state administration system and change our society” – underlined vice prime Minister strategic goals of Ukraine, showing as example Olympic Games hosted by China. – “We’ve overcome management and personnel problem. For those national experts working over Euro-2012 it’s the matter of their life”. Position of the Government according to Mr. Vasyunik is clearly defined and coordinated with the position of receiving association – Football Federation of Ukraine. “Realizing that we’re just in the beginning of long and difficult journey and the core responsibility is ahead still we can by all means evaluate our fruitful cooperation with the UEFA as positive”- he said. – “We hope to work together for a long time as united and successful team”.