
Ukraine's good opportunity to host Euro 2012 comes with great expectations and high pressure from UEFA, according to the German Journal. But will the country be able to meet UEFA's future deadline?
Ukraine has until November 30, 2010 to convince UEFA that it is ready to host the 2012 European soccer championships.
With a projected figure of 1.4 million soccer fans expected to visit the championship, Ukraine`s leadership has been scrambling to upgrade the infrastructure in its four host cities. UEFA President Michael Platini has admitted that there are tremendous infrastructure problems – stadiums need to be built or renovated and roads need to be repaired – which will need to be resolved in Ukraine.
UEFA earlier threatened to strip Ukraine of its co-hosting rights with Poland after it experienced difficulties in developing infrastructure in preparation for the championship. However Michael Platini has insisted "we will come to Ukraine." But he has emphasized that it is still unclear how many cities in the country will be deemed fit to host games.
Ukraine`s government is fervently pulling out all the stops to prepare for their hosting debut and has ordered entire cities be restored. Around the country, roads, stadiums, sports grounds and hotels are getting a facelift.
Anticipation and excitement about the upcoming championship has unified Ukraine's government and its nation. The country has not supplied with finances a major sporting event since 1980 when Ukraine hosted the Olympic Games as a part of the Soviet Union. |