UEFA Euro-2012 qualifying draw takes place on February 7, 2010, in Warsaw at 01:00 p.m. CET. This year’s ceremony is special for the Old World as 50 years ago – in 1960 - the USSR team collected the first European Cup in France. The final match against Yugoslavia at Park de Prence resulted in 2-1 with extra time.
Much has changed since then. There are new independent states in Europe. The name of the Championship as well as the format are different now as well. The “king of sports” proceeds to the East ample with lots of strong clubs, sides, and millions of fans.
At the Warsaw palace of Culture and Science, European teams will get to know their ties in the UEFA Euro-2012 finals. The national squads will be divided into nine groups, with six of six sides and three of five. Totally, 51 national will be fighting to get their berth at UEFA Euro-2012 campaign, with only 14 making the finals.
Co-hosts Ukraine and Poland are qualified automatically to join 14 finalists. Prior to the drawing procedure, the teams are divided into 6 pots according to the UEFA national team rating coefficient available derived from the 2010 FIFA qualifying round.
Pot 1: holders Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal, France, Russia.
Pot 2: Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey, Denmark, Slovakia, Romania.
Pot 3: Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Pot 4: Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary, Latvia, Belarus, Belgium, Wales, Macedonia, Cyprus.
Pot 5: Montenegro, Albania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Lichtenstein.
Pot 6: Azerbaijan, Luxemburg, Malta, Faroe Islands, Andorra, San-Marino.
The reigning Champion goes to the first pot. Each group will be formed of sides from the first five pots. Six groups will include one team from the last Pot 6.
The draw doesn’t provide the match calendar. So far, it is known that, from September 2010 until October 2011, the teams will play two matches – home and away.
Winners in the nine groups as well as runners-up with best results will proceed to UEFA Euro-2012 finals. UEFA Euro-2012 play-off will take place in November 2011. Eight runners-up will struggle for four berths in the final.
Former Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Ivan Vasyunyk noted commented in the TV-show "Shuster-live» that he convinced that the administrative system of Ukraine's preparations for EURO 2012, worked by previous government team will be useful to successors.
"In my opinion, the main challenge based on EURO 2012 will not become a platform of expression of some politicians or bureaucrats. Keep in mind that the subject of this project is an entire state. I t is not just the political ambitions of certain individuals, but rather the image and the future of the entire country that are at stake.
During 2009 the State Road Service of Ukraine (Ukravtodor) put in commission 238 kilometers of roads. In general, Ukravtodor spent USD 3.8 billion for construction and repair of roads last year. This part of the funds of USD 16.7 billion, that were involved by organization to finance road economy. Vadym Gurzhos, the Chairman of the State Road Service of Ukraine said at today's press conference.
Official noted that despite the fact that last year Ukravtodor managed to employ only half of the planned funds, work on the facilities of EURO 2012 were performed on average 65% of the annual plan.
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[NAME] => Oleg Zasadhyy : « Lviv stadium to put in to operation in July 2011 »
[PREVIEW_TEXT] => On the 5-th of February, large-scale constructions works started on the Lviv stadium, that would host EURO 2012 matches, to close the conflict between local authority and the principle contractor. Oleg Zasadnyy, head of the “EURO 2012” department in the Lvivi City Council, shared with the Information centre “Ukraine-2012” how and did the city really came though all barriers on the way of preparation to the Championship.
On what stage of building is now Lviv stadium?
Last week arena in Lviv that would host matches of the EURO 2012 group round entered the new stage of building.
[PREVIEW_TEXT_TYPE] => text
[DETAIL_TEXT] => On the 5-th of February, large-scale constructions works started on the Lviv stadium, that would host EURO 2012 matches, to close the conflict between local authority and the principle contractor. Oleg Zasadnyy, head of the “EURO 2012” department in the Lvivi City Council, shared with the Information centre “Ukraine-2012” how and did the city really came though all barriers on the way of preparation to the Championship.
On what stage of building is now Lviv stadium?
Last week arena in Lviv that would host matches of the EURO 2012 group round entered the new stage of building. Works are conducted simultaneously around the perimeter of the building site comparing whereas before, the lack of working drawings, construction has been carried on only one side of the turn. Now, construction of football stadiums will be conducted much higher rate.
At present more than 200 builders are drawn to the construction process, but soon their number will be increased in several times. The erection of one-piece beams of seat sets, that would be used as standing abutment. Previously, one-piece beams were constructed on the north side of the stadium. Till July 68 beams on the total perimeter should be erected according the schedule.
As a result, the enforcement in the construction of Lviv arena guarantees that it would be put in to operation in terms. According to the approved UEFA construction schedule, the new stadium will be delivered in late July 2011. Today already 18% of the frame the football arena is built. Preparation and area works are fully conducted and 100% of tier and columns of the first seat set readiness are observed.
What is the subject matter of the agreement that signed “Azovintex”, “Arena.com” and local authority?
November 19, 2009 Lviv City council – stadium building owner, principle contractor SC "Design and Construction Azovintex " and company " Arena.Kom " signed tripartite agreement.
Foreign company "Arena.Kom" signed sub-contract agreement with two Ukrainian organizations: Research and Design Institute of Steel Structures n.a Shymanovskyy and design company “Arnica”, that carried out the adaptation of the project, worked out by architects from the company "Alpine Bau".
For today, project works are ahead of schedule and project proposals are presented to the contractor in time. Company "Arena.Kom" supposed to be the leader in designing, first of all because it has extensive experience in project management of the stadium construction for the European Championship and the World. This, in turn, gives us confidence that the stadium construction to the Europe and World Championships.
That is why we are sure that Lviv will fulfill all UEFA requirements.
How will be organized the transport connection between the stadium and the city center?
Since the new stadium is located on the Stryyska str. with the ring road , these roads would be in the principle demand. To ensure the availability of the stadium for city dwellers, we will build a trunk road connecting it with the largest residential area of the city - Sykhiv.
Besides, till the EURO 2012, trolley and tram lines would be extended, several new bus routes would be introduced.
In what way Lviv “mobility plan” is realized?
Lviv is one of the few cities in Ukraine, that has developed the transport strategy till 2030 year - it was created in conjunction with a consortium of German companies PTV AG-VCDB GMBH, who are leading experts in the field of transport.
Based on the strategy, local experts have developed mobility plan, that passed examination by UEFA. Thus, the city will provide a quick and easy movement of fans between the main objects of the EURO 2012 in the city. Mobility plan also provides transport for fans between Lviv and Truskavets.
The computer-aided control traffic flow will be organized in the city. Beside it, we plan to establish special information signs, parking and creation of specialized lanes.
Lviv is to purchase additional buses to transport groups of fans, isn’t it?
To ensure the organized movement of fans between the main objects of the Championship, as well as for intensive communication between the Lviv and Truskavets the city to use about 200 large buses. Since the city does not require a large number of daily transportation, the bus will be leased to other cities in Ukraine and abroad. We conducted preliminary negotiations with the German city of Leipzig, which is ready to lease Lviv about 100 buses for the Championship.
What stage is now construction and transportation infrastructure repair of the city on?
Taking into account the strict terms of the roads project to be completed this spring and this summer construction of three roads, important for the development of neighborhoods near the arena to be started.
The construction of Ryashivska str. is planned, that would significantly improve communication between the airport and the southern area of the city.
Another way is an extension of the tram line that will connect the stadium to downtown. However, reconstruction of roads in Lviv is under way: about 200 roads, including 6 main motorways have been reconstructed for the last several years. 8 more urban highways will be completely reconstructed in the next two years.
What share of private investment provides financing of the preparation to the Championship? How to increase the investment attractiveness of the city?
The largest private sector investment in the infrastructure of the city is building a new airport terminal. According to the results of the auction, that won American company IMTC-MEI LLC, the amount of investment in Lviv airfield is about a billion UAH.
It is necessary to mention the development of tourism infrastructure, such as building hotels, restaurants and other service facilities. The cost of these investments is estimated to worth over half a billion UAH.
It is important fund-raising organizations from abroad. We had projects to attract grant funding from the German bank KfW, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Nuclear Safety in the amount of 0.5 million EUR, that is aimed to promote environmentally friendly and energy-efficient public transport.
Funds from the German association of technical support GTZ for the project "Improvement of the city transport system” in conjunction with the preparation for EURO 2012 provided the costs in the amount of of the0.8 million EUR. During the final negotiations - grant for design and construction of the tram track was received.
To develop investment proposals for the development of neighborhoods near the new stadium, in cooperation with the company «Ernst & Young», that is the world leader in consulting, investment research was worked out the "Analysis of the location of the area around the stadium on the Stryyska str. with the Ring road, Lviv, Ukraine.
Good tradition in Ukraine was the economic forums. As a result of such activity Lviv took third position in the ranking of regions for FDI, compiled by the prestigious magazine «Financial Times». For the city such rating is confirmation of success during a crisis: when all came through investment activity, we - on the contrary, tried to support the appropriate investment climate, starting new projects, particularly in the development of road infrastructure.
How will be organized leisure time activities for fans between matches? What is Lviv preparing for tourists who will visit EURO 2012?
Throughout the month during which Championship would last, fan festival will be held in Lviv, that will consist of numerous activities devoted to the EURO 2012. Several fan zones will be opened where they can find entertainment for their taste.
Under the marketing agreement signed between the city and UEFA, to September 2010 Lviv must present a list of measures that the city authority will organize in conjunction with the EURO 2012. We continued work on the creation of such a proposal - in this process involved the publicity that will be able to offer new and fresh ideas, and participate in their implementation.
On the 5-th of February, large-scale constructions works started on the Lviv stadium, that would host EURO 2012 matches, to close the conflict between local authority and the principle contractor. Oleg Zasadnyy, head of the “EURO 2012” department in the Lvivi City Council, shared with the Information centre “Ukraine-2012” how and did the city really came though all barriers on the way of preparation to the Championship.
On what stage of building is now Lviv stadium?
Last week arena in Lviv that would host matches of the EURO 2012 group round entered the new stage of building.
State Committee of Ukraine on Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship proposed new draft Law of Ukraine "On gambling”. The objective of the new version of Law "On gambling" is the withdrawal of gambling from the shadows - at the same time make more stringent rules and location of gambling establishments responsibility to strengthen the state and citizens.
In July-August 2009 Donetsk and Mariupol hosted UEFA EURO Under 19 Championship. Law of Ukraine “On prohibition of gambling business” was adopted a month before the Championship.
UEFA Euro-2012 is a driving force for improvement of many fields of the Ukraine’s life. In particular, Ukraine might become the first region in the Eastern Europe to introduce public transport means operating on biofuel. This will positively impact the environment as well as the economic activity in the host cities.
Alternative fuel E85 consists of ethanol (85%) and costs less than traditional types of petrol. Moreover, it doesn’t contaminate the environment. For drivers to enjoy the novelty, they will need to equip cars with a fuel adaptor.
