One of the largest football (soccer) events in the world is happening here in Ukraine. What does it mean for this nation? Will it be a great success? Is it even really such a big deal? YES! Every 4 years the best 16 national teams from across Europe play for the cup. At it will be held here in Ukraine and jointly in Poland.
The capital and infrastructure outlays for this event are unparalleled here. This event, at this time, has propelled Ukraine forward by 20 or 30 years. Rarely do games of any kind (like the Olypmics, etc) ever make money for the host countries or cities and it will almost certainly generate a deficit in dollars. But the gain in roadwork (beautifying, signage, surfacing), in air travel (new terminals), train travel (the first hi-speed train between the major cities will launch for this event), and in every aspect of tourism is incalculable.
Europe, possibly even the whole world, is watching. This is a defining moment for Ukraine and eastern Europe in general. Will it be a success? In some aspects we have already seen sad failures. The hotel industry hiked prices early on hoping for a windfall, but instead they pushed international fans away into the waiting arms of Poland. Never mind the political mess that surrounds Yanukovich and Tymoshenko. That situation has almost single-handedly contributed to the breakdown of talks between the European Union and Ukraine (the EU did not sign a major agreement this year based on Yanukovich’s imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko). That has led in turn to many European leaders boycotting the games here in Ukraine (including the final which will be held in Kyiv).
Can Ukraine turn it around? Hope is not lost yet. Fans will still come. Will they have a great experience – hopefully so! If ordinary citizens choose to treat visitors with respect and courtesy. If business owners charge fair prices for their services. If the police do not look to make money personally while doing their job – keeping the roads safe.
There is hope that EuroCup 2012 will be a success and that fans, both local and international, will have a great time!
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