Poland is ready for EURO CUP 2012

After years of preparation, construction, and political bickering, Poland and Ukraine are ready for EURO 2012 European Football Championship.  And by football, I mean soccer - just to be clear with US readers.  The tournament kick-off begins on June 8th in Warsaw with the final on July 1st in Kyiv.  UEFA president Michel Platini, is still unhappy with the state of new venues in both countries and hotel room prices in Ukraine.  I presume, bitching is his job.

Poles and Ukrainians, on the other hand, are ecstatic.  Poland gained four great stadiums, new roads, and new highways that will serve for years to come.  All of the host cities completed all the construction projects for supporting infrastructure: train stations, new bus lines, new hotels, parking lots, and metric ton more - yes I used metric system to make a point.  Some claim, Poland escaped recession with all that money spent everywhere.  For the Eastern European countries to accomplish project of such proportions - is a success. 

Will regular folks enjoy some profits and stack of zlotych (Polish currency) serving the tourists?  They sure will.  Since the hotel room are gone long time ago, there are plenty of private rooms and apartments for rent for the tournament.  Some accommodations are tight but who would complain about the room having a blast with kielbasa and high octane beverage enjoying Polish hospitality?

Check out the fast motion videos from the construction site of the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) in Warsaw.   

Host cities in Poland: Warszawa, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan
Host cities in Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Donetsk, Kharkiv