UEFA hoping successful Euros will lift the gloom
Source: AFP |
June 7, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
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European football is looking for a successful Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine after damaging match-fixing revelations in Italy, debt-ridden Spanish clubs and the spectre of racism in grounds across the continent.
Such is the atmosphere in Italy that even a heavy 0-3 defeat to Russia in a warmup was welcomed as a chance to talk about events on the pitch, rather than off them, as a corruption investigation focused on illegal betting in the domestic game. "We've suffered a big defeat, it's true, but there's a lot to say. That way we'll definitely talk about football," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said after the match.
UEFA officials are hoping that events on the pitch will match up to the last tournament in Austria and Switzerland, when Spain shook off its perennial underachievers to take the title.
UEFA President Michel Platini wrote in the latest edition of UEFA.direct magazine that Poland and Ukraine had overcome difficulties with infrastructure, ticketing and accommodation and were ready to host the continent's biggest football tournament.
"Right now, it is all about looking forward to watching Europe's best national teams in action, being bowled over by the feats of the players and sharing the excitement of the supporters - in other words, getting swept up in a great month-long international celebration of football," he said.
Once the tournament ends on July 1, Platini will still have burning issues to address, notably in Spain, where the overall debt of clubs has risen to some 752 million euros (US$935 million).
Such is the atmosphere in Italy that even a heavy 0-3 defeat to Russia in a warmup was welcomed as a chance to talk about events on the pitch, rather than off them, as a corruption investigation focused on illegal betting in the domestic game. "We've suffered a big defeat, it's true, but there's a lot to say. That way we'll definitely talk about football," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said after the match.
UEFA officials are hoping that events on the pitch will match up to the last tournament in Austria and Switzerland, when Spain shook off its perennial underachievers to take the title.
UEFA President Michel Platini wrote in the latest edition of UEFA.direct magazine that Poland and Ukraine had overcome difficulties with infrastructure, ticketing and accommodation and were ready to host the continent's biggest football tournament.
"Right now, it is all about looking forward to watching Europe's best national teams in action, being bowled over by the feats of the players and sharing the excitement of the supporters - in other words, getting swept up in a great month-long international celebration of football," he said.
Once the tournament ends on July 1, Platini will still have burning issues to address, notably in Spain, where the overall debt of clubs has risen to some 752 million euros (US$935 million).
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