Making up for lost time

It was a year ago that Poland and the Ukraine were entrusted with organizing the Euro 2012 football championships. The two governments and local authorities stress that preparations are gathering pace, but private investors, architects, experts and engineers are increasingly doubtful Mladen Petrov On 18th April 2007 Europe learned with mixed feelings that Poland and Ukraine had been granted the right to organize the European Football Championships. Italy was furious with UEFA’s decision and is currently contesting whether Poland and the Ukraine are able to stage the event. What is really lacking in Poland and Ukraine? Almost everything: from stadiums up to road infrastructure. Investors in both countries have to struggle with the absence of the legislation necessary for an event of such a scale. Investment financing is yet another unknown, with only a small number of projects to be financed by private investors. Research company PMR estimates that the total bill will come to ne