Poland/Ukraine selected to host UEFA EURO 2012

056 – Poland/Ukraine selected to host UEFA EURO 2012

UEFA has today announced that the hosts for the final tournament of the UEFA European Football Championship in 2012 will be Poland/Ukraine.

UEFA President Michel Platini announced the winner today in front of representatives of all the bidding organisations at the City Hall of Cardiff in Wales.

Twelve members of the UEFA Executive Committee had one vote each, as the members of Italy and Ukraine were not allowed to take part in the ballot.

The first ballot produced an absolute majority required, of 50% plus 1 vote, with Poland/Ukraine receiving 8 votes.

As a consequence, the bid of Poland/Ukraine was nominated to host UEFA EURO 2012.

In announcing the successful bid the UEFA President said:

"Today Poland/Ukraine has been chosen by the UEFA Executive Committee to host UEFA EURO 2012 and they are surely a worthy winner. However there are no losers today, rather only bids that have not won this time round."

He also paid tribute to the effort and passion of all three of the bids, to host the prestigious European football tournament.

"I cannot speak highly enough of the effort that has been made, and the passion for football we have seen in all three bids. The process is a tribute to each one of the five national associations involved and to the political authorities and the football fans, who have all given such tremendous backing to their respective bids," said Platini.