Football: Platini praises Poland, Ukraine’s efforts

Platini said this year’s tournament would “be a magnificent celebration of European football”

PARIS: Uefa President Michel Platini praised Poland and Ukraine for supporting the forthcoming European championships, saying the tournament would be a welcome boost at a time of wider financial troubles. Platini said this year’s tournament in the former eastern bloc countries would “be a magnificent celebration of European football”. The former France captain acknowledged the “sacrifices” people in both countries had made to ensure the tournament was a success. “Uefa’s executive committee took the courageous decision to open up the cream of European football to two countries which had not yet had the opportunity to stage sporting events of this stature,” said Platini. “After years of effort and innumerable difficulties I am convinced that we’ve attained our objective — Euro 2012 will be held in good conditions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.