Ukraine plays host

Ukraine has been given the thumbs up in its preparations to co-host the 2012 European soccer championships.

All four cities scheduled to be match venues for the country have been given approval by European football body UEFA, following fears that they would not be ready in time.

Up to 1.3 million fans are expected to attend the championships, which Ukraine will host alongside Poland.

UEFA president Michel Platini had warned that infrastructure problems with roads and stadia needed to be resolved, and a decision to approve three of Ukraine's host cities was put on hold.

Threat to strip co-host rights

The soccer organization had even threatened to strip Ukraine of its co-hosting rights, with only the capital Kiev confirmed as a venue until Friday's announcement.

The other three cities, Lviv, Kharkiv and Donestk, were finally given the green light at a news conference in Madeira on Friday. It was also confirmed that Kiev would be the venue for the final.

Platini told journalists that he was pleased that both countries would play a full role in hosting the tournament. "I'm pleased to tell that thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Ukrainian government we can finally give the green light to a symmetrical tournament," he said.

Some work needed

Platini added that some work was still needed in making the final preparations. "There remain (....) considerable hoops to jump through," he said. "I entirely trust Ukraine and Poland as hosts."

One factor that had complicated preparations was the international financial crisis, with state revenues in Ukraine down by 30 percent.

Also on Friday, Ukraine appealed to the International Monetary Fund for a loan of some some two billion dollars to overcome what government officials described as an "extremely difficult" financial situation.

The Polish cities of Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw were formally selected as venues in May. The tournament will run from June 9 until July 1.

rc/Reuters/dpa

Editor: Susan Houlton