UEFA President Michel Platini reveals the winner of the race to host the 2012 championship.(ATR) Poland and the Ukraine will host the 2012 European Football Championships, defeating favorite Italy and a joint bid from Croatia and Hungary at the UEFA Assembly in Cardiff, Wales.
In the first round of balloting, Poland and Ukraine had eight votes, while Italy received four. Croatia-Hungary failed to win a single vote. The 2012 European Championships will be the first time hosting the event for both countries.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for Ukrainians and Poles to give soccer fans from around the world an extraordinary sporting event," said Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko, who was part of a contingency in Wales for the bid presentation.
Former pole vault great Sergei Bubka was in Cardiff in his role as president of the Ukraine National Olympic Committee; he’s also an IOC member.
Poland’s bid leader was excited about the victory as well. "Just after the announcement of the decision enormous joyexploded in our team. We were shouting, we had tears in our eyes,” said bid leader Adam Olkowicz.
"This is the realization of great expectations, hopes, ideas and effort. Let's hope also to make proper use of the chance given to Poland and Ukraine. It is proof of recognition for our candidacy, of our enormous endeavors."
After the naming of Poland and Ukraine hosting the 2012 championships, 10 cities – four from Poland and six from Ukraine – were named as host cities.
Reactions from the other bid candidates were varied. Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany told reporters that UEFA based its decision on "economic factors".
"I'm very disappointed. I would not like to unjustly accuse UEFA officials, but I think it's possible that economic factors played a role in the selection of the hosts," said Gyurcsany.
Meanwhile, Italy was not surprised at the result, noting several scandals in the past year, including allegations of match-fixing and rioting that killed policeman Filippo Raciti.
"I'm not surprised this has happened," said Italian Football League president Antonio Matarrese.
"We are coming out of one of the most terrible tragedies in the history of Italian football. The fact we've lost this bid is not a catastrophe, but at this point we need to take stock and start reorganising."
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