Euro 2012: The Problem with Co-Ventures

The awarding of the Euro Cup 2012 to both Poland and Ukraine came with incredible honor.  To both countries, this signified recognition by FIFA and UEFA of the two countries being on equal terms with the rest of Europe, despite being part of either the Soviet Union or the Warsaw Pact less than two decades ago. 

To Poland, this recognition also carried a message that members of the EU believe that the nation’s economy is strong enough to support such a challenging venture.  Poland does not have such an infrastructure equal to Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, or many other countries in Europe, and neither does the Ukraine. 

To successfully stage such an event new stadiums, roads, hotels, and many other structures will need to be put up, and this is not an easy task, considering that the world has now fallen into a recession.

Poland’s and Ukraine’s co-bid was successful, taking eight votes to Italy's four, while Croatia and Hungary received none.  "This big tournament will be a milestone in the common history of two Slavic nations," boasted Polish Football Association chairman Michal Listkiewicz.  “Finally, the big event is going to the countries which have had no opportunities to improve football." 

Nearly two years from that fateful day in Cardiff, Wales, when victory by the co-venture was announced, the reality of the event taking place in Ukraine and Poland is in question.  The current state of the bid is in question, as completion of the Ukraine stadiums faces uncertainty. 

In October 2008, it was announced by the officials that authorities in Ukraine's western city of Lviv are looking for new builders after an Austrian firm pulled out of constructing a stadium for the Euro 2012 finals. 

The incident was the second involving Ukrainian stadiums for the tournament, after authorities had to change the general contractor for renovation of Kiev's main stadium, due to host the Euro 2012 final. 

While Michel Platini, chairman of the UEFA, has voiced his support for the joint venture, he has made it clear that if Kiev’s stadium is not modernized, Ukraine will lose the co-host status. 

"There are huge infrastructure problems to be resolved in Ukraine," Platini explained.  Lviv, Donetsk and Kharkiv have until 30 November to prove their suitability. Warszawa, Poznan, Wroclaw and Gdansk have been confirmed as the Polish venues.

While the stadiums remain a point of contention, the infrastructure, such as roads and residences for both the team members and media need to be also improved.

Should any cities be dropped there are reserve venues, some of which should have originally been selected as host cities, including Krakow, which is set to renovate the Wisla stadium by 2010.

All eyes will thus be on Ukraine in November, and should all go well for Ukraine then the two nations will host one of the most important and biggest sporting events in their history.  Should all fail, then Poland will be left footing the bill. 

Yet should the co-venture fail, there is already a line-up of candidates willing to take up the challenge of hosting the event, or so the media claims.