STATUS QUO
Kharkiv is greatly ahead of Lviv as far as preparation for Euro 2012 is concerned. It is a real candidate to be one of the venues hosting the finals of the Championship. This was announced by the Minister for Family, Youth and Sport of Ukraine Yurii Pavlenko at the meeting with journalists in Kharkiv on December 8. Mr. Pavlenko emphasized that the latest decision of the UEFA removes the division into main and reserve host cities of Euro 2012. The title ‘main venue’ will be given to those cities that are best prepared for the Championship as of May 15, 2009. Mr. Pavlenko also said that Kharkiv’s regional and municipal authorities are planning to jointly complete the reconstruction of Metallist stadium in 2009 (it had been planned only for 2010), i.e. six months before the initial deadline. "Kharkiv is doing a lot to become a venue of the Championship’s finals and this step only confirms this intention”, the minister noted.
Mr. Pavlenko also said he was satisfied with the progress of Kharkiv international airport reconstruction.
Mr. Pavlenko emphasized that Ukraine and Poland have became one team preparing for the championship.
SQ note: Poland and Ukraine were selected to host the finals of Euro 2012. Four of the six cities will host matches in Ukraine: Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kiev, Lviv, Odessa and Kharkiv.
