Platini backs Germany for Euro 2012 victory
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) is backing Germany to clinch this summer’s European Championship title – and insists Brazil will be ready for 2014 World Cup.
Euro Championships
ZDF and ARD secure German EURO 2016 media rights
By David Gold
February 23 – UEFA has announced that ARD and ZDF have been awarded Germany’s exclusive broadcast rights to the European Championships 2016, held in France.
Polish national stadium given approval after safety doubts
By Andrew Warshaw
February 22 – Poland’s new National Stadium, due to stage the opening match of the 2012 European Championships, has finally been cleared as safe to play its showpiece inaugural fixture against Portugal on February 29.
Fresh doubts over Warsaw Euro 2012 Stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Poland’s new $641 million (£409 million/€493 million) National Stadium, the jewel in the country’s Euro 2012 preparations, may not be ready to stage its showpiece inaugural fixture, a friendly against Portugal on February 29.
Euro 2012 border crossings not likely to be ready on time, admits Poland’s Transport Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Poland’s preparations for the 2012 European Championships have been dealt a potentially damaging setback with the admission that its transport links bordering co-hosts Ukraine may not be ready on time.
Kiev is as ready for Euro 2012 as London is for the Olympics claims top official
By David Gold
February 9 – Oleksandr Popov, the head of Kiev’s city State Administration, has said that they are as ready for the European Championships, which Ukraine co-host this summer with Poland, as London is for the Olympic Games.
No more critical issues in Ukraine’s Euro 2012 preparation, promises Bubka
By Tom Degun at the Park Lane Hilton in London
February 7 – Sergey Bubka (pictured), one of the one of the most influential figures in world sport, has calmed fears that preparations for the 2012 European Championships in Ukraine and Poland are behind schedule as he assured that huge progress has been made over the last two years to ensure everything is ready on time.
Poland will use Euro 2012 to boost economy and global image, says Sports Minister
By Andrew Warshaw
January 31 – Poland is hoping it can buck the trend of European countries being plunged into economic crisis by using this summer’s European Championships to its advantage.
Poland’s Euro 2012 showpiece stadium finally opened
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Poland’s showpiece venue for this summer’s European Championship finals was opened on Sunday – eight months late.
There will be ample affordable accommodation for Euro 2012 fans, insists tournament director
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – The man leading the Ukrainian side of Euro 2012, Markiyan Lubkivskyi, insists there will be enough hotel rooms to accommodate the thousands of fans expected to pour into the country for the world’s third largest sports event this summer.
Sports Minister says French Government shouldn’t fund Euro 2016 stadia
By David Gold
January 27 – French Sports Minister David Douillet (pictured) has suggested that the French Government should not have to spend money on stadia to be used during the European Championships in 2016 and that any renovation or construction costs should be met with Ligue 1 television revenues.
Infrastructure will not be an issue at Euro 2012, insists UEFA’s Infantino
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino (pictured) insists Poland and Ukraine will be able to cope with the massive transport and infrastructural issues at the 2012 European Championships even though preparations were too slow at first.
Ukraine and Poland to review visa access for Euro 2012
By David Gold
January 23 – Poland and Ukraine have been urged by UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured right) and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to ease visa restrictions for Russian fans due to attend this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament.
Turkey’s “energies are focussed on Olympics” promises Sports Minister after Euro 2020 claims
By Duncan Mackay
January 21 – Turkey is concentrating its efforts on successfully bidding for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the country’s Sports Minister Suat Kılıç (pictured) has revealed following reports that they were also planning to launch a campaign to host football’s European Championships that year.
MATCH Hospitality appoints agents in China for Euro 2012
By David Gold
January 14 – MATCH Hospitality has appointed Shankai Sports as the exclusive sub-agent in China for selling Club Prestige Hospitality Programmes for the European Championships, which take place later this year in Poland and Ukraine.