Euro 2012 openning ceremony was held on Friday 8, 2012. Opener game between Poland and Greece was very dramatic. The Poles achieved superiority over Greeks after Lewandowski's goal.
Just before the break defender Papadopoulos saw his second yellow card and Greeks have to played in weakening.
The second half was very dramatic. Ten Greeks dominated the game and Salpingidis scored in 51 minute. Polish team looked very tired and paralysed. But the hero of the game was Polish second goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton who defend the penalty after he had to replace Wojciech Szczesny who saw the red card.
International football games have always a risk of hooligans fights and riots but everybody know that situation is worse during domestic leagues or cup competitions matches.
Despite of co-operation of many Polices from different countries it's impossible to prevent before unwanted hooligans and their behaviors.
Euro 2012 organisers estimate number of supporters visiting Poland at 700 thousands. Mainly from Russia, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Croatia and quarter and semi-finalists.
Most of group stage games are recognised as low riski but one game is different. It's the match between Euro 2012 co-host Poland and Russia.
Both nationalities haven't got played recently but when it comes to clash it's always memorable day. For example during the last club competition Europa League game between Legia Warsaw and Spartak Moscow when Legia defeated Spartak 3:2 on away game.
Russians who played their first game in Wroclaw defeated Czech Republic 4:1. Several dozens of Russian fans arrived to Poland to support their national team in Euro 2012 tournament.
Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia for behaviour of its supporters during game with Czech Republic.
Russians play their next game on Tuesday in Warsaw the capital of Poland.
Situation in the stadium should be under control. The main problem will be in the city and pubs. Most of the ticket holders will be from Poland and thousands of Russians fans will have to watch the game in pubs.
Warsaw city authorities made a fuss themselves when they denied Russian Football Association to create their own fan zone in Torwar only for Russian supporters. Now thousands of Russians will have to watch Russia - Poland match in the pubs.
Over the last half decade or so the Spanish national side has unquestionably dominated international football, claiming the European Championships in 2008, before following it up with victory in the World Cup two years later. This level of domination is comparable to that achieved by France when they won the 1998 World Cup followed by the Euros, before the team went into a decline soon after. Spain are still the favourites to retain their European crown in Euro 2012, but will they be able to sustain the level of success they have achieved, or will they experience a slump similar to that which the French endured?
The success that the Spanish national side began to achieve under Luis Aragones involved changing the way that the team played without sacrificing any of the passing and moving fluidity and commitment to attacking that the people of Spain value so highly in their side. Instead Aragones simply focused on making the side stronger physically with extra training and supplements like whey protein to prevent them being muscled off the ball by more physical opponents, and ensuring that – combined with their sublime level of skill – it became virtually impossible for opponents to get the ball off Spain. The re-education that took place within the coaching of the national team, following years of underachievement, is unlikely to be forgotten.
Indeed Spain’s record in qualifying for Euro 2012 and in the group stages does not offer much hope for those who are hoping for a fall from grace – the team came through their qualifying group with a 100 percent win record, and they have also topped Group C with a clear 2 point lead! Of course, everyone is aware of the ongoing problems experienced by Fernando Torres, but even if he should fail to continue his goal scoring form at the tournament, with the number of other world class players in the squad, this is unlikely to prove fatal to their chances. This should be borne in mind by anyone considering betting against them for the tournament if top gambling sites begin to offer favourable odds for their opponents.
The championship defender Spain play against always demanding Italy in Euro 2012 final.
Spanish Tiki-taka style of play is characterised by short passing and movement. Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has the luxury of having a team of the best football players to choose from.
Unfortunately, tough season affected Spanish national team. Vicente Del Bosque’s squad is weakened by absence of Carles Puyol. While, David Villa attendance at Euro 2012 is uncertain.
Italian Catenaccio (door-bolt) is a style with a strong emphasis on defence. Italians are well organised and have effective backline defence concentrated on nullifying opponents' attacks and preventing scoring goals.
Italians win over Spaniards last August in Bari prove that they are able to conquer with the best.
So, do the Italy need to change their style for success? No. They play football how they like to play. That means defending and counterattacking
Spain squad for Euro 2012: Italy squad for Euro 2012:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel 'Pepe' Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao), Jordi Alba (Valencia).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Javi Martínez (Athletic Bilbao), Xavi Hernández (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Málaga), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), David Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Juan Mata (Chelsea), David Villa (Barcelona).
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Emiliano Viviano (Palermo), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).
Defenders: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St.Petersberg), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Ignazio Abate (Milan).
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Antonio Nocerino (Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma).
Forwards: Giampaolo Pazzini (Internazionale), Antonio Cassano (Milan), Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (Roma), Alberto Gilardino (Genoa).
Euro 2012 ticket presentation was organized by Uefa in Kiev. The main aim of presentation was to show supporters original ticket and protect them from frauds.
Uefa's representative told reporters that Euro 2012 tickets have 10 unique identification features like code, hologram and other signs which will be verified by Stewards before the entry on the stadiums.
Euro 2012 tournament kicks off on June 8 in Warsaw. Currently tickets are being printed and shipped.
It's the first time when Uefa decided to give Eurocup organisation rights to Eastern Europe countries: Poland and Ukraine.
There are still 50,000 Euro 2012 tickets unsold in Donetsk and Kharkiv in Ukraine. Long distances and high accommodation prices for low quality standards discourage supporters from going to Ukraine. In Poland Euro 2012 tickets were basically sold out.
The last, first come - first serve tickets resale phase should start for a few days.
Polish and Ukrainian railways will co-operate during the Euro 2012 tournament. Beside them, Russian and Belarus railroads signed an agreement.
Actually, there are 4 regular international routes between Poland and Ukraine:
- Kiev – Berlin – Kiev,
- Kiev – Warsaw – Kiev,
- Wroclaw – Przemysl - Lvov,
- Przemysl – Lvov – Przemysl.
Co-operation is difficult because there are two different types of railway gauges between Poland and former Soviet Union countries. It is necessity of changing trains, changing carriages (coaches for broad-gauge carriages) or use SUW 2000 system (carriages with an automatic wheel track switch).
International railway transport between Poland and Ukraine works on two railway crossing borders. One on the south in Przemysl-Medyka on the route Wroclaw - Cracov - Lvov.
Second, on the northern Polish-Ukrainian border at Dorohusk / Jagodin near Chelm on the route Berlin – Warsaw - Kiev.
Specially for Euro 2012 tournament, 18 additional trains will be running between Poland and Ukraine.
Moreover, Polish PKP Intercity railway company offer easy traveling across Poland by special program Polish Pass. One electronic card allow supporters to move within the realms of public transportation in Poland (public and intercity transportation – both railway and airway). Beside that it will be possible to encode a hotel reservation and basic health insurance.
You can find connections in Poland on: www.intercity.pl but it's impossible to book an international ticket via internet. If you are from Germany it would be easy because Polish and German railways co-operate themselves. You should go to your local railway ticket office
and buy ticket there.
In Ukraine, UZ railroad company have created a high-speed passenger corridor Lvov-Kiev-Poltava-Kharkiv-Donetsk and launched the modern railway connections between Euro 2012 co-host cities, which greatly reduce travel time between major championship cities.
You can find connections in Ukraine on: http://uz.gov.ua/en
With less than three months before the Euro 2012, Polish and Ukrainian co-host cities are desperately trying to come up with models to generate funds to cover the exorbitant costs of maintaining stadia after the Euro 2012 championships.
Euro 2012 stadiums costs are higher by half than similar objects in RSA or in Germany.
Host cities are planning events to do not end up forking out a fortune to cover incurred costs.
One stadium need at least 6 huge events per year to generate enough money to operate on its own.
Host cities appointed permanent companies to manage stadiums.
Wroclaw is one of good example of well management stadium
Wroclaw authorities were confident the stadium would generate money as it was situated in a superb location and was also a tourist destination.
The National Stadium is expected to be one of the main centres of the European Football Championships Euro 2012, where according to the original scheme it will be played among others: the opening match, some of the group matches, one quarter-final and one semi-final.
At the end of 2010, there are preparations for elevating the roof line structure are at the final stage. The canopy frame has been mounted onto the spire, above the future ‘garage’ of the movable roof. The arranging and joining of upper lines has been finished.
The plants of Mostostal are finishing the elements of the so-called sub-construction, to which the elevation of the aluminium mesh will be fitted.
As regards the outdoor works, the 9th of the 22 flights of terrain stairs is being constructed. Changing the construction of these stairs and using partly pre-fabricated elements makes it possible to build them in spite of temperatures below zero. The north-west and north-east retaining walls are at various stages of progress.
Gdańsk – Baltic Arena
Baltic Arena in Gdańsk which has a capacity of 44 thousand seats will be situated outside the territory of the shipyard. An urban development project called "The Young City" which involves restructuring the post-shipyard areas is aimed at bringing the Baltic metropolis closer to the water.
Baltic Arena Stadium is regarded to be the most attractive project of the stadium among all objects which were offered by Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012 matches. Its shape, especially in graphic symbols for night – resembles amber.
The cost of investment which according to scheme will be finished around 2011 is estimated at about 900 mln zlotys.
Poznań - City Stadium
Poznan's City Stadium modernisation works started at the Bułgarska Street Stadium in 2004.
A part of the earth embankments behind one of the goals on which stands were erected got pulled down in 2005 to be replaced with a modern stand with 8,000 seats. The new stand was inaugurated on March 10, 2007. With the new stand, the stadiums capacity grew to a total of 24,166 seats. Ultimately, also the stands along the sidelines will be replaced. Three storey high, they will grow the stadium's capacity to 44,000 seats. In 2005, the main pitch was fitted with a heating system.
Apart from the main pitch, the Bułgarska stadium complex house four full size training pitches, one small-size pitch with artificial grass and a sport hall with a 40x20 pitch and artificial grass.
There's also a car park for about 4000 parking spots
Wrocław - Wrocław Stadium
Olympic Stadium built in the interwar period is a stadium proposed by Wrocław in the official offer of Poland and Ukraine on Euro 2012.
According to conception of stadium conversion it is expected to reach capacity over 40 thousand seats and is expected to be a part of sports center, with a swimming pool, a sports hall, a shooting range, tennis courts and also shop centres and gastronomic centres.
The assembly of 4-thousand-ton steel roof construction will last until March 2011.
The Wrocław stadium will accommodate about 42 thousand of spectators. It will be a multifunctional facility, where in addition to football matches, other events like concerts will be organized. Under tribunes where are four separate buildings, where the largest fitness club, casino, disco and conference rooms and offices in Wroclaw will be built.
Euro 2012 tickets lottery was held in April 19-22, 2011. No fewer than 1.4 million tickets were sold for the 31 matches, including the opening game in Warsaw on 8 June and the final on 1 July in Kyiv.
However, large number of these tickets were allocated to VIP's and business clients so there's no doubt that Euro 2012 tickets are in short supply for average fans. Those who failed in lottery have still possibility to get Euro 2012 tickets.
First option is through Uefa's official Euro 2012 tickets resale platform where ticket holders have possibility to resign and sale their tickets. All you have to do is register at Uefa's official Euro 2012 tickets resale portal and search for a tickets permanently there.
Moreover, from December 2011 football fans could apply for Euro 2012 tickets through their own national football federations. 450,000 tickets were allocated to 16 national football teams playing in the Euro 2012 tournament. Every fan can apply only for 2 individual match tickets.
The alternative solution for the official programs are non-official fan to fan tickets exchange portals and forums. Like our website and forum which allows to communicate and exchange opinions between fans from all over the world. But remember don't pay nobody offering tickets from the second hand until April or May, 2012 when Uefa will send tickets actually.
Another option is a possibility to get tickets through Uefa's official sponsors.
Uefa's and Euro 2012 official sponsors promote their companies with Euro 2012 tickets as prizes.
Uefa's official partners are: Adidas, Carlsberg, Castrol, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia Motors, McDonald, Orange and Sharp.
Moreover, Poland and Ukraine the Euro 2012 co-host countries have got their own individual sponsors.
Euro 2012 ticket prices:
Euro 2012 opening match tickets prices:
Category 1 €250 Category 2 €140 Category 3 €45
Euro 2012 group stage tickets prices:
Category 1 €120 Category 2 €70 Category 3 €30
Euro 2012 Quarter-finals tickets prices:
Category 1 €150 Category 2 €80 Category 3 €40
Euro 2012 Semi-finals tickets prices:
Category 1 €270 Category 2 €150 Category 3 €45
Euro 2012 Final tickets prices:
Category 1 €600 Category 2 €330 Category 3 €50
Euro 2012 group stage draw have been held today on Friday 2 December 2011 in Kyiv in Ukraine.
Sixteen European national football teams have been divided into 4 groups.
Results of the Euro 2012 draw:
Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
Group B: Holland, Denmark, Germany, Portugal
Group C: Spain, Italy, Repubic of Ireland, Croatia
Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England
Beside rivalry aspect, football fans was wondering where exactly their national teams will play.
Teams from groups A and C play their Euro 2012 matches in Poland.
Moreover, group A games will be played in Warsaw and Wroclaw. While group C matches are going to be played in Gdansk and Poznan.
Teams from groups B and D play their games in Ukraine.
Group B matches will be played in Lviv and Charkiv. While group D games are going to be played in Kyiv and Donetsk.
I invite all football fans to write posts and exchange your opinions on our forum and social media fan pages.
