According to a report by Finamo, the value of investments connected with organizing the European Football Championship will amount to EUR 38 billion, of which EUR 23 billion (60%) should be allocated in Poland. The report shows also that construction, advertising, hotel and trade sectors should record the highest profits in connection with the EURO 2012. Almost 30% of the funds secured for the preparations of the event (EUR 7.5 bn) is planned to be earmarked for road construction and upgrading the existing road infrastructure.

This year has faced the organizers of the championship with an unexpected hindrance – the global financial-economic crisis. ‘The global financial crunch is definitely not helping us. However, we need to look for chances in this difficult time’ Marcin Herra, president of PL2012 Company, said adding he was satisfied with the progress of preparation work. ‘We have completed the conceptual designs and we have now commenced negotiations with potential contractors’ Herra said.

‘According to UEFA, the detailed schedule of work has never been prepared so early and professionally in the history of EURO’ Minister Drzewiecki revealed. ‘We are delivering at 150%. We will build not four but six stadiums and in case of prolonging difficulties experienced by our Ukrainian partners we would be ready to take over the other part of the championship’ the Minister said referring to the latest corruption claims concerning high figures in the Polish Football Association (PZPN). Drzewiecki reassured that the present crisis within the PZPN will not affect the organization of Euro 2012.

‘The package of regulations putting in order the issue of competences which will shorten the preparatory period for investments, is one of the biggest achievements of the government in preparing for EURO 2012. Another significant step was putting an end to the struggles with ecologists and working together on the Nature 2000 programme and adjusting Polish law to directives concerning the environment’ Adrian Furgalski said. However he pointed to several unsolved problems like the shortage of railway connections with airports, motorways and insufficient plans for the modernization of railway stations.