You're reading: Euro 2012 blog: Platini’s eastern gamble pays off

The move to stretch Europe’s football beachhead east seems to have paid off. Preliminary figures are already in: Ukraine’s chief Euro 2012 organizer Markiyan Lubkivsky said the tournament drew nearly 1 million football fans to Ukraine, many of whom came from non-European Union countries.

Donetsk Mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko said some 40,000 Russians crossed the border to watch games in the eastern industrial city, whereas another 50,000 EU-based fans poured in to watch the June 27 semi-final match between Spain and Portugal.

Mexicans, Australians, Kazakhs, Americans and even Mongolians were spotted in Kyiv’s fan zone and Olympic Stadium for the July 1 match.  

“It’s great visiting Ukraine, we wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for the Euro,” said Aussie Justin Delmonte in Kyiv’s fan zone on July 1. “The media put a bad mark on Ukraine, but we’re enjoying it, we’ve met so many great people who’ve helped us out.”

Michel Platini, president of the Union of European Football Associations, can breathe a heavy sigh of relief. In earlier interviews, he said he wouldn’t relax until the final whistle blows. After three weeks, it has, and Ukraine has pulled off what many naysayers said would’ve been a disaster.

There were no reports of police violence, racially motivated attacks, widespread use of commercial sex, or huge delays at border crossings, among other gloom-and-doom scenarios.

Police only handed out 15 administrative offenses to foreigners and didn’t open any criminal cases against them for the duration of the tournament, said Deputy Interior Minister Viktor Ratushniak on July 2.

And despite Ukraine being perpetually behind schedule amid threats from UEFA to nix the tournament from some or all the host cities at different stages since 2007, the stadiums held up, as did the roads and new Korean-made trains.

“Ukraine got a lot of criticism, but everyone came together and mobilized,” said Javier Reyes of Los Angeles, who once lived in Kyiv for six years. “There were times when I was skeptical that they were not going to pull through but in the end it paid off.”

Reyes continued: “I congratulate everyone…there is so much pride…even though I’m not Ukrainian, I felt so much pride for the Ukrainian people and for the country.”

Javier Reyes of Los Angeles, California.

And Ukraine’s location on the edge of Europe made it easier for fans further east to visit.

“The closer east these tournaments are held, the better…Ukraine is closer so we came,” said Kazakh Azamat Smagulov while walking to the Olympic Stadium for the July 1 final match between eventual winner Spain and Italy.

Illya Tonshev (L) and Kazakh Azamat Smagulov on their way to the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv on July 1.

“Football is moving east, I think more eastern countries like ours should host this kind of championship,” said Askar Bakizeyev of Kazakhstan, whose country joined UEFA in 2001 after quitting the Asian Football Confederation.

Askar Bakizeyev of Kazakhstan.

Foreign fans also noticed how non-EU fans seized on football fervor.

“We love football and noticed how much the Ukrainian and Russian fans embraced the tournament,” said Aussie Delmonte.

Justin Delmonte (Center) in Kyiv’s fan zone on July 1.

“For foreigners who don’t know or ever heard about Ukraine, there’s visibility and awareness now,” said Los Angeleno Reyes. “Let’s hope now that will translate into political pride after the tournament, to make positive changes in that realm…I’d like to see that as well,” added Reyes.

He won’t have to wait long. Parliamentary elections are taking place in October.

Kyiv Post staff writer Mark Rachkevych can be reached at [email protected].