With Euro 2012 only a couple of months away, fans from all over Europe will be planning their summer football trip to Ukraine and Poland. The eastern European nations have been frantically trying to prepare for the tournament, and have eight stadiums earmarked as venues for the games. Here is a definitive stadium guide:
KYIV – Olympic Stadium, 60,000
The largest venue of the tournament, this 60,ooo all-seater arena has been the home of Ukraine’s most successful club team Dynamo Kyiv, but has been closed and renovated in preparation for the games. The venue for the final on July 1st, the organisers of the competition have installed a transparent roof, and is in the suburbs of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The second biggest football stadium in eastern Europe, the Olympic Stadium was closed from 2008 to 2011 for major repair work.
GROUP STAGE
Monday, June 11 – Ukraine v Sweden (1945)
Friday, June 15 – Sweden v England (1700)
Tuesday, June 19 – Sweden v France (1945)
QUARTER-FINAL
Sunday, June 24 – Winner D v Runner-up C (1945)
FINAL
Sunday, July 1 – Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (1945).
LVIV – Arena Lviv , 34,915
This brand-new stadium was built for the tournament, and is based in western Ukraine, close to the Polish border. The arena was officially opened in 10 December 2011, and is the new home to club side FC Karpaty Lviv. The Stadium is again an all-seater, with the supporters covered by partial roofing. Located in the south of Lviv, public transport to and from the good is well catered for and organised.
GROUP STAGE
Saturday, June 9: Germany v Portugal (1945)
Wednesday, June 13: Denmark v Portugal (1700)
Sunday, June 17: Denmark v Germany (1945)
KHARKIV – Metalist Stadium, 38,633
Saturday, June 9: Holland v Denmark (1700)
Wednesday, June 13: Holland v Germany (1945)
Sunday, June 17: Portugal v Holland (1945)
Monday, June 11: France v England (1700)
Friday, June 15: Ukraine v France (1945)
Tuesday, June 19: England v Ukraine (1945)
Saturday, June 23: Winner C v Runner-up D (1945)
Wednesday, June 27: Winner QF1 v Winner QF3 (1945)
Friday, June 8 – Poland v Greece (1700)
Tuesday, June 12 – Poland v Russia (1945)
Saturday, June 16: Greece v Russia (1945)
Thursday, June 21 – Winner A v Runner-up B (1945)
Thursday, June 28 – Winner QF2 v Winner QF4 (1945)
GDANSK – PGE Arena, 40,000
The ultra-modern sports facility is located in northern Poland, and was again constructed in preparation to the start of the tournament between 2008 and 2011. Striking in appearance for the air or outside, the arena is home to club side Lechia Gdansk and close to the city’s waterfront.
GROUP STAGE
Sunday, June 10 – Spain v Italy (1700)
Thursday, June 14 – Spain v Republic of Ireland (1945)
Monday, June 18 – Croatia v Spain (1945)
QUARTER-FINAL
Friday, June 22 – Winner B v Runner-up A (1945)
POZNAN – City Stadium, 40,000
Originally built in 1968, the home of KKS Lech Poznan and Warta Poznan has been renovated to get up to scratch for the European Championships finals. The grand reopening was back in 2010, and the stadium is renowned for the close proximity of the fans to the pitch and it’s electric atmosphere when full.
GROUP STAGE
Sunday, June 10 – Republic of Ireland v Croatia (1945)
Thursday, June 14 – Italy v Croatia (1700)
Monday, June 18 – Italy v Republic of Ireland (1945)
WROCLAW – Municipal Stadium, 40,000
Designed to look like a Chinese lantern, the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw is a feat of architecture and captures the essence of a modern football stadium. Work on the arena was finished in September 2011 and is a thriving commercial centre built on 12 islands all connected by a web of 112 bridges. The furthest south of Poland’s four stadiums, the Municipal is served by buses and a newly constructed tram system.
GROUP STAGE
Friday, June 8 – Russia v Czech Republic (1945)
Tuesday, June 12 – Greece v Czech Republic (1700)
Saturday, June 16 – Czech Republic v Poland (1945)
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