The foundations for the stadium on which the matches of European Championships will take place in 2012 were laid on Tuesday in Lwow.

This is the second stage of building the stadium. The first one, preparing the terrain for construction, lasted from the beginning of last December.

- Laying the foundations should have taken place on 20th January and we succeeded. I would like to emphasize that the works are held nonstop – said the mayor of Lwow Andrij Sadowy, quoted by local web portals.

The works by foundations will last for four months. The stadium is being built by Ukrainian firm Azovinteks. The cost with the stand for 30 000 spectators is 85 millions Euro.

A stadium in Dniepropietrowsk was put into use last year in terms of Euro 2012. The stadium in Donieck, built from the money of the richest inhabitant of Ukraine – Szachtar owner, Rinata Achmetow - is to be finished in Spring. The Olympic Stadium in Kiev is being modernized. The modernization of the object for 72 000 spectators is planned to be finished in 2010.

UEFA decided to organize Euro 2012 in eight cities.

Poland and Ukraine applied for expanding the list of host-cities to 10-12. The decision of UEFA can mean that the European Championships will pass over Chorzow and Krakow.

- We have reached an agreement with Poland – said the head of Ukrainian football Hryhorij Surkis – Euro will be held in four Polish cities and four Ukrainian ones.

The final list of the city-hosts will have been prepared by UEFA by May. Michal Listkiewicz the former head of PZPN (Polish National Football Association), who was responsible for the relations with UEFA as far as Euro 2012 project was concerned, does not exclude a possibility of 6 cities in Poland and 2 in Ukraine to be found on the final list.

After UEFA commission’s visit to Ukraine in early February German mass-media started talks about possible transfer of Euro-2012 from Ukraine to Germany.

As alternative to Ukrainian cities are suggested Berlin and Leipzig located close to Poland - another host-country of Euro-2012.

German edition of Express cites commercial manager for German-Polish Chamber of Commerce Larse Bosset, who at RBB channel had his say concerning possible change of host-country from Ukraine to Germany for holding Euro-2012 matches. “There’s happening much more than we can even imagine off screen and behind public discussions” - told Mr. Bosset hinting at corridor talks in UEFA.

German edition supposes UEFA may refuse to Ukraine to be host-country of Euro-2012 as the country faces serious difficulties with stadiums construction.

In summer, 2008 there was information of Germany to substitute Ukraine and host Euro-2012 Championship together with Poland, though later Germany denied its negotiations with Poland concerning Euro-2012.

February, 6 in Euro-2012 Information Center was held press-conference which summarized the visit to Ukraine of UEFA delegation headed by David Taylor. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Ivan Vasyunik thanked to Football Fedeartion and Grigory Surkis personally for organization of the visit.

“Ukraine succeeded in preserving preparation pace for Euro-2012 during financial crisis. Every city confirmed its obligations taken and local authorities promised to finish all the projects on time” - he noted.

Ivan Vasyunik highlighted Lvov and Kharkov, both these cities except for the capital have changed UEFA’s opinion as to preparation attitude. All the six cities are carrying out stadiums’ reconstruction according to the schedule.

Airports’ preparation received 100 % financial support, and roads’ reconstruction is sponsored by 96 %. Takeoff strips are undergoing reconstruction at the moment. For 2009 State Budget previews 7 bln, 759 mln hryvnyas for Euro-2012 organization and 5.775 000 000 hryvnyas in local budgets. The talks are held concerning loans and 400 000 000 hryvnyas for roads’ reconstruction has already been obtained. The country hopes to get loans from European Investment Bank. The Government will support those private investors ready to invest in hotels infrastructure.

Ukraine will be ready to selection of four cities and successful completion of preparation in general.

It should be reminded that UEFA commission headed by Secretary General David Taylor has finished checking out of Euro-2012 objects in Ukraine.

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