You're reading: Platini: Ukraine nearly ready for Euro 2012

Kharkiv, Sept. 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine is virtually ready for hosting the Euro 2012 European Football Championship, UEFA President Michel Platini said in Kharkiv on Monday.

"Ukraine is virtually ready for Euro 2012. There are no serious problems in preparing for Euro 2012. But there are many minor tasks and problems that need to be solved. The terminal, which I have opened today (the VIP-Terminal at Kharkiv International Airport), is fine, the stadium is beautiful. We will work on the issues of transport system and accommodation. As for other host cities, Lviv, for instance, still has no turf at the stadium, a runway is not ready in Donetsk [airport]. Two years ago we were still facing the issue, whether we can organize Euro 2012 in Ukraine. A year ago, we were deciding whether to leave four or two [host] cities. And today we have four cities, and we need to efficiently use the remaining time to prepare for the championship," Platini said at a briefing in Kharkiv.

The briefing took place at Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv.

Before starting the briefing Platini scored two goals – the first time against Euro 2012 tournament director in Ukraine Markiyan Lubkivsky who acted as a goalkeeper, the second time against Football Federation of Ukraine President Hryhoriy Surkis.