You're reading: Platini pleased with Donetsk’s preparations for Euro 2012, notes some problems

Donetsk, Sept. 26 (Interfax-Ukraine) - UEFA President Michel Platini has noted progress in Donetsk's preparations for the Euro 2012 European Football Championship, but said that there were minor problems, in particular, concerning hotel infrastructure.

"We could see progress in Donetsk. There is progress, and everything is going good. There are minor problems related to the hotel complex," he said at a press conference at the Donbass Arena stadium in Donetsk on Monday.

Platini said he doubted that the airport in Donetsk would be commissioned in the terms announced by Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov (by the end of 2011), but he expressed confidence that the airport would be ready for Euro 2012.

He said that he would try to attend the Euro 2012 semi-final match to be held in Donetsk.

"I will try to watch as many games as possible," Platini said.

Journalists recalled the UEFA president a statement by President of the Football Federation of Ukraine Hryhoriy Surkis that he would "be delighted when he comes to Ukraine."

"I will be delighted later. I’m currently reconsidering everything. A lot has been done, and there is the desire of people to do this. I said from the first days that it would be a big task for everything to be at a high level," Platini said.

The UEFA president said that after Euro 2012, he might visit Ukraine and Poland as a tourist.

Donetsk Mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko said at a press conference on Sept. 22 that Donetsk has 2,945 rooms, which is enough for the guests that will visit Donetsk to watch group matches.

But the city still lacks 158 rooms for the UEFA target group for quarterfinal matches, and 2,458 rooms for guests of the semifinal match.

He said that the shortage of rooms for the quarterfinal and semifinal matches would be covered via launching charter flights between Kyiv and Donetsk.

The possibility of launching charter flights from Poland and back is also being considered, he added.