UEFA General Secretary David Taylor visited three Ukranian cities earlier this week, in order to examine ongoing preparations for the Euro 2012 championship, EuFootball reported. Taylor, along with a group of others, was expected to visit stadiums, airports, train stations, hotels, and fan zones, as reported by DPA. With Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv identified as host cities, Taylor had also made arrangements to meet with European inspectors and politicians. The team of UEFA representatives planned further stops in Kharkhiv and Odessa, the cities named as alternate game hosts.
Ukraine secured the honour of Euro 2012 co-host in 2007, alongside counterpart Poland. Sadly, the process has not been going smoothly for Ukraine, since falling behind in a new stadium for Lviv and experiencing delays in the Kiev stadium reconstruction. UEFA and FFU were not impressed by the transportation infrastructure and lack of hotels, presenting even more obstacles for the country.
Fortunately for Ukraine, Taylor was pleased with the level of work completed to date. Taylor told the Kyiv Post that he is “amazed” by the progress, indicating that Kharkiv is one of few host cities to enter into a very thoughtful and pragmatic preparation process.
Taylor was accompanied by Ukrainian Football Federation President Hryhoriy Surkis and Vice Premier Ivan Vasiunyk, with Surkis reiterating the delight expressed by the UEFA official.
