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Poland confident, but problems remain for Euro 2012
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 13 - 05 - 2009

Four Polish cities got the green light Wednesday to
host Euro 2012, but problems remained with uncertainty over co-host
Ukraine and Poland's long list of infrastructure left to build before
opening day, according to dpa.
UEFA president Michel Platini picked four Polish cities from 12
candidates: Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw. But Kiev was the sole
Ukrainian contender to make the final cut, and that left room for
speculation by Polish optimists.
While UEFA stressed it wanted to keep equality in the tournament
and play the same number of games in each country, others hoped the
two rejected Polish cities could still host matches if Ukraine proved
unprepared in December.
Construction would not stop in either eliminated Krakow or
Chorzow, officials there said, while Sports Minister Miroslaw
Drzewiecki noted that "anything is possible."
Chorzow already had a stadium that just needed renovation, but the
Silesian city was seen by most as an unlikely pick. It lacked modern
hotels and other needed infrastructure to accommodate football
crowds, and few tourist attractions for visitors.
Tourist-friendly Krakow's rejection came more unexpectedly. City
president Jacek Majchrowski was visibly shaken, saying he was
"furious at UEFA" who had recently given Krakow high marks.
But when the emotions cool, the cities are likely to continue
building, whether they end up Euro 2012 hosts or not. Contracts had
already been signed, one official said, and the facilities can still
bring in money by hosting rock stars or monster truck events.
There were few surprised faces when UEFA's decision came down in
favoure of Warsaw. The Polish capital had just signed a deal with one
of Europe's largest construction firms to build its stadium by 2011,
and already has a slew of hotels.
Poznan's stadium was one of two in the country given a green mark
for good preparatory work, its president recently said, but critics
say local transport there needs improvement.
Gdansk on the Baltic coast has plenty of hotels, but likewise
needs to modernize local transport and revive its airport, the daily
Wyborcza said. Wroclaw, the daily reports, has similar problems with
transportation and outdated train stations.
But the nation is feeling optimistic as construction across the
country launches and gives residents proof that improvements are
happening.
And when Euro 2012 is over, many hope the infrastructure that
remains will revive Polish football and raise standards in the sport
for the next generation.


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