Ukraine Eyes Russia as Possible Euro 2012 Co-Host, Cooling on Poland

Ukraine's football chief signaled in July 2004 that his country might drop Poland as a co-host partner for the Euro 2012 bid and instead approach Russia. Grigory Surkis, president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, said Poland had failed to upgrade its sporting facilities to a standard suitable for the tournament.

Surkis indicated that Russia's existing soccer infrastructure made it an attractive alternative, saying the switch "can seriously raise our chances." A spokesman for Russian football union president Vyacheslav Koloskov responded favorably but noted that any official comment would have to wait for a formal proposal from Ukraine.

None of the three countries, Poland, Russia, or Ukraine, has previously hosted the European Championship. A separate joint bid from Ireland and Scotland was also under consideration for the 2012 tournament.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in July 2004, in its own words.