Final touches put to Polish plans

The Polish Football Federation is applying the finishing touches to its preparations for the 2005/06 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which kicks off in the Wielkopolska region early tomorrow evening.

Interest high
Hopes are high that local interest in the finals – where the hosts tackle Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic in Group A, while Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey contest Group B – will be strong, with a widespread poster campaign and publicity-raising events in local schools drumming up support and awareness. In addition, the fact that admission to games is free should ensure that the six match venues all enjoy sizeable crowds.

Transport links
Spectators should experience no problems in getting to the match venues, which are in Poznan, Pobiedziska, Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Szamotuly, Wronki and Swarzedz, as all six grounds enjoy excellent transport links. The stadiums are all situated on or near major roads and, in addition, can also be easily reached by public transport. Work on all six grounds to bring them up to UEFA standards is complete after the improvements at the Stadion Miejski in Swarzedz were finalised last week.

Strong competition
The stage is therefore set for Europe's most promising young players to display their talents, with the eight finalists all hoping to get their hands on the trophy after the final at the Stadion Miejski in Poznan on Saturday 29 July. Whatever the eventual outcome, interest in the Wielkopolska region is already high – and has been ever since Poland won the right to stage the tournament – and the next two weeks should be something to savour.