Euro 2012 Visit: Day 6

The official site visits of the UEFA delegation in Italy for the appointment to host the 2012 European Championship finals concluded in Florence today.

After site visits in Rome, Naples, Palermo, Bari, Udine, Turin and Milan this week, the UEFA delegation conducted a site visit this morning of the Stadio Artemio Franchi and some of the hotel facilities.

The inspections ended at the Italian Football Federation’s technical centre in Coverciano in the presence of the Mayor of Florence Leonardo Domenici, FIGC Deputy Commissioner Massimo Coccia and the Bid Manager of the Euro 2012 Project Francesco Ghirelli. The World Cup trophy won by the Azzurri in Germany last July was in display as the "Guest of Honour".

Mayor Domenica pointed out how important football is in Italy and the passion of the people of Florence for this sport. "I feel committed in this bid, both as Mayor of the City of Florence and as President of ANCI (National Association of Italian Cities). In Italy's bid to host Euro 2012 there are differences in the roles and functions [of all involved in the bid], but all of us feel committed at the football and institutional level just like a team."

In his address, the Deputy Commissioner of the FIGC Massimo Coccia thanked everyone present and offered his support. "The Italian Football Federation is ready to support the bid project at all levels and to meet all UEFA requirements and expectations."

The head of the UEFA delegation, Horst R. Schmidt, ended his address with: "I must say that during these six days we have observed that not only the football world, but the whole nation is committed in support of the idea of Euro 2012."

There are two other candidatures competing against Italy to host the 2012 European Championships, the joint bids of Poland/Ukraine and Croatia/Hungary. The final decision will be made on 8 December 2006 in Nyon, Switzerland.


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