Euro-2012-Three Days Before...

Euro-2012-Three Days Before...
So, what can we say? Breathing is irregular, heart beat is accelerated, eyes shine with adrenalin... That is the evidence of the Euro-2012 opening match approach! 100 days before tournament, and a year before tournament, and two years... seem to have been just recently.  And now we count down the hours. So, what's going on in Ukraine and Poland during the last hours before European Championship?

Orange stereotypes

The UEFA states that a half of the participating national teams has already arrived at their training sites (in Poland). 'Ukrainian' teams - French, Swedish and, of course, Ukrainian national teams - will come together on June 6. A day later one of the main Ukraine's guests - Dutch fans - will arrive in Kharkiv in mass. 'Orange' tent camp is already being built in Kharkiv, where Dutch national team will play all group tournament matches. The camping site will host around 6 thousand fans during the tournament. However, 'tent camp' in Dutch understanding is virtually real town by Ukrainian measure. 'Orange' will fit their camp even with sewers and internet access.

By the way, according to unofficial and semi-official utterances of local authorities' representatives - from average policemen to mayor's assistants - local officials seriously believe that Dutch tourists will mean a real headache to them, because of all-round 'free love' and light drugs usage. Yep, stereotypes are marching. We still lack a mobile Red-Light District to complete the picture!

Regular Kharkiv residents are on the contrary more loyal to the guests. They even help to build the tent camp as part of volunteer teams.

'Provisionally high-speed'

[New trains for Euro-2012 are still being criticized] And, as football functionaries had promised, Czech national team reached Poland by special train, named after great Czech football player Josef Masopust... Fortunately, they didn't use newly bought Ukrainian trains, which locals call 'provisionally high-speed' at best - for unjustified great expectaions! The transportation is being discussed in full swing... European journalists and just active internet users, who have recently visited Ukraine, unanimously note that new trains' maximal speed is a little higher than 180 km per hour. That is no comparison even to the regular trains' speed in Western Europe or in Japan, for instance. And they, certainly, have a point here. However, we should realize that new rolling stock in Ukraine is more than just technical solutions - it is new quality standards. And, although new high-speed trains that connect Euro-2012 host cities will have merely practical task in June, they will definitely become a symbol of country's modernization.

Statistics of ticket sales on the 'provisionally high-speed' trains doesn't give a clear answer, whether Ukrainians are happy with new rolling stock or not. On the one hand, according to Ukrainian railway administration, during the first half-day only 2300 out of 80 000 available tickets for 'Euro-expresses' Donetsk-Kiev and Kiev-Donetsk were sold. On the other hand, the bulk sales will obviously take place during Euro-2012 and on match days in Ukraine, at that. So, we shall see what we shall see.

Ultimatum against upright piano

It is already known that Euro-2012 opening match Poland-Greece will be introduced by 12-minute opening ceremony. There will be choreographic performance by 800 people and playing Chopin's composition on upright piano... Euro-2012 opening might be also carried out under hundreds of klaxons buzz and engine roar, though. Conflict between central Polish stadium's - the one, where Poland and Greece will play - construction's clients, contractors and subcontractors is still going on in the country. There are around 50 million Dollars in question. One of the solutions (in subcontractors' judgment) is to block the stadium on the tournament's opening day. They promised to surround the arena with all building equipment possible. However, it'll hardly happen, while provided such kind of ultimatums, problems are regularly solved promptly and quietly.

Arrivederci?

[Italy. When championship lets down national team] Three Euro-2012 favorites, according to bookmakers, didn't change - the latest data completely repeats half-year-old predictions: the first one is Spain, the second one is Germany, and the third one is Netherlands. We should worry about Italy (formerly number 4 in the list), though. Last week Italian police caught local footballers red-handed again. They are suspected in carrying out fixed matches in both, lower and upper divisions. Some Italian national team's stars are under suspicion, too - among another 150 people. It's clear that however the case ends, their psychological spirit in Ukraine and Poland will be very low - in regard the last similar scandal developed into numerous disqualifications and some serious criminal cases.

It's interesting - given such scandals rate! - is it due to the huge fixed matches' number in Italy or to the fact that only in Italy the police effectively works in this direction?

Apropos, just recently we've read in women's magazine advices on the topic "How to behave, when your husband watches Euro-2012 matches". One of the items stated that during 'these days' men will discuss - attention! - 'whether fixed matches will be played'! Of course, it's hard to explain to strangers to football all the absurdity of carrying out fixed matches during Euro-2012. Who will break legs for two years in order to 'sell' a game in Ukraine or Poland, and therefore break one's career, consciences, popularity, and bonuses running into millions? No, thanks! However, in the light of recent events, you couldn't say that the fixed matches' topic won't be discussed at all.