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Euro 2012: The Draw

Euro 2012: The Draw
With the 16 Euro 2012 finalists now knowing where it is they will be playing in Poland and Ukraine, there has never been a better time to check out In Your Pocket's guides to the host cities. With over 20 years of experience in writing guides to the rapidly changing central European region we have all the most important information you might need to plan your trip.

More importantly, we have all the information you need as to what to do when you get here. We have produced special guides - designed with football fans in mind - to Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw.

Although no games will be played in Krakow, we have even put together a special guide to the city for fottball fans, as the England team - and many supporters - are likely to be based there.

Over in Ukraine, we have unrivalled guides to both Kiev and Lviv.

The tournament promises to be a landmark event in the  history of both nations while the visiting fan is promised a fascinating experience quite different from those you may have had at previous tournaments. In Your Pocket knows these countries like no other travel guide publisher. Let us help to make your visit as simple to organise and as enjoyable as possible once you are here.

Poland

The decision to make Poland a co-host of Euro 2012 was greeted with surprise both inside and outside Poland as well as by jubilation that Michel Platini and his UEFA committee had the foresight and courage to bring such a successful tournament here. Once the hangovers wore off however it became clear what a huge task the country had taken on. The country was already trying to repair the damage of 50 years of Communist rule and decades of under-investment. Progress was being made and EU entry 3 years previously promised huge inward investment via the EU’s Structural Funds. Poland was modernising already. The award of EURO 2012 meant that this process would have to be accelerated and a few new stadiums would have to be built while they were at it.

Despite getting off to a potentially disastrous start when UEFA threatened to suspend Poland and withdraw the tournament after the government of current Prime Minister Donald Tusk tried to impose change on the Polish FA (PZPN), disagreements were settled and work began in earnest. The task has been huge. Motorways have had to be built from scratch; an aged railway network and rolling stock needed to be modernised and the small issue of 3 brand new (and 1 modernised) stadia had to be addressed. While much has been achieved rumours continue to circulate that UEFA is not entirely satisfied with the progress that has been made so far. While Gdansk and Wroclaw’s completely new and Poznan’s expanded stadia are complete and have competitive matches played at them, the National Stadium in Warsaw, where the opening match will be played is only due to be completed by December 2011 with the first game pencilled in for February 2012 (the original completion date was June 30, 2011).

For fans looking to visit Poland for the tournament there is plenty to be excited about: the best summertime weather (temperatures in the 20s Celsius); prices for food and beer are a competitive steal when compared to western Europe; and the traditionally hospitable people of Poland are well prepared to show their hosting capabilities for Europe’s biggest football event.
While much of the news coming out of Poland is good at the moment – especially compared with other countries in the Eurozone - - there are still a number of issues the country has had to tackle. As you might imagine from a country of over 300,000 square kilometres that is attempting a complete overhaul of its dated infrastructure, there are plenty of issues that fans should be aware of in advance.

Getting here:

While getting to Poland will be a far simpler affair than getting to the Ukraine, navigating your travel to the country requires some forethought. For example, Ryanair does not fly to Warsaw from anywhere while until recently domestic flights in Poland could only be booked with LOT Polish airlines and meant always being routed through its Warsaw hub. All things considered your best bet is to book flights to Poland well inadvance. In addition to budget carrier Ryanair you will also find Wizzair, who serve all four Polish host cities from various cities around Europe. Poland’s national carrier, the aforementioned LOT, has a number of direct routes to Poland from major European cities and is also a member of Star Alliance, which adds to your potential flight options. We recommend looking at the game schedules and searching for flights between host cities for the easiest transport. Eurolot and OLTJetair now also fly some domestic routes direct, with new routes being introduced all the time. Fans are advised to look at the various carriers in the coming months to book flights as a time-saving transport plan for getting between cities for the games.

Getting Around:

Poland’s stadia for the games are all very impressive with Gdansk’s PGE Arena, designed to look like a glowing piece of Baltic amber at night, the jewel in the crown. Getting around the country to catch games at more than one of these stadiums during your stay in Poland may cause some problems. Major road and rail construction is ongoing, and we can confidently say all the work won’t be completed on time. Add to that the strange composition of the groups, with Wroclaw/Poznan and Warsaw/Gdansk far more natural partners in terms of infrastructure available and distances that will have to be covered than the actual groupings of Warsaw/Wroclaw and Poznan/Gdansk. Driving in Poland, while not completely discouraged, is not as straightforward as it is in most western European countries and travel times can be outlandish. Visitors are surprised to find there is no direct motorway between Poznan and Gdansk, for instance, and the 300km haul will take at minimum 4 hours despite a stretch of 100km on the new A1 dual carriageway. On the rails the Intercity train between Warsaw and Wroclaw is currently scheduled to take 5 hours during the tournament (and that is actually an improvement of current conditions).

Accommodation:

When hoping to ensure a comfortable and convenient night’s rest away from home, early booking is always recommended, but never more so than in this case. While the accommodation options available in every Euro 2012 host city have expanded dramatically since Poland won the right to host the tournament in 2007, many rooms, and indeed entire hotels, have already been reserved by UEFA and the ‘football family’ for the duration of the tournament, meaning availability is already limited. Those that book early will not only have the peace of mind of a confirmed crash-pad, but may also enjoy special discounts. While accommodation prices are generally affordable in comparison to western Europe, the high demand around match days will no doubt drive their value upwards. To combat a potential lack of availability there have been whispers of bringing in some temporary sleep options (a proposal to moor a cruise liner on the Gdańsk waterfront has already been nixed), and camping accommodation will be increased, however for those that want the comfort of a conveniently-located bed, we can’t over-stress the importance of booking ahead.

Euro 2012 in Warsaw

Matches to be played in Warsaw (all kick offs CET)

Poland v Greece, Friday June 8, 18:00
Poland v Russia, Tuesday June 12, 20:45
Greece v Russia, Saturday June 16, 20:45

Quarter final, Winner Gp A v Runner up Gp B, Thursday 21 June, 20:45

Semi-final, Thursday June 28, 20:45

Introducing Warsaw


Football fans who draw Poland’s capital city are in for a treat. After a long, cold winter Warsaw comes alive in the summer, with the Old Town streets filled with restaurant gardens that keep the food and booze flowing long after the sun goes down. The city has taken its hosting duties seriously and is creating the largest Fan Zone in history (we’re talking room for 120,000), which will sit in the shadow of Warsaw’s most recognizable landmark from its Communist past, the gothic Palace of Culture. When not cheering on your favourite team the city has plenty of sights to keep you busy, from the spellbinding Warsaw Uprising Museum (which will explain why the city had to be reconstructed from ruins after World War II) to the up-and-coming bohemian district of Praga across the Vistula River.
Be sure to check out our guide to Warsaw’s hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sights to help you map out an excellent trip.

You can also find out more about football In Warsaw and the National Stadium that will host the local matches.

The full Warsaw In Your Pocket guide can be downloaded as a PDF for free here, or you can get it to go by adding the iPhone app to your phone, which is available at the AppStore.

For the most up-to-date information on what’s happening in the city follow our Warsaw In Your Pocket Twitter feed, which is a great way to ask us questions about Warsaw. And if you like what you see make sure to become a fan of Warsaw In Your Pocket on Facebook.

Euro 2012 in Wroclaw

Matches to be played in Wroclaw (all kick offs CET)

Russia v Czech, Friday June 8, 20:45
Greece v Czech, Tuesday June 12, 18:00
Czech v Poland, Saturday June 16, 20:45

Introducing Wroclaw


If your side has drawn Wrocław during match play, you are in for a treat. As the long-standing capital of the embattled region of Silesia, Wrocław’s history is long and convoluted, as evidenced by the number of times its identity and name (say it with us now: ‘Vroat-suave’) have been reinvented over the centuries. However, today’s Wrocław is one of the most unique and exciting cities in Poland, combining Kraków’s ancient architectural charm and Warsaw’s metropolitan buzz, with a kick of alternative Berlin. A student city with an insatiable appetite for drunken merrymaking, music and mischief (Wrocław is famous for its resident gnomes), Wrocław is at the peak of its powers in summer when the temperature, the blood-alcohol levels and the hem-lines of skirts all raise themselves to new heights and the cultural calendar is packed full of don’t-miss events. Visitors to Wrocław will delight in the bustle and beauty of the Market Square and surrounding Old Town, the quiet, cobbled gas-lamp lanes of Ostrów Tumski, the bridges and boulevards of the Odra River and the UNESCO-approved uniqueness of Centennial Hall. One of Poland’s fastest-rising and yet still somewhat under the radar cities, Wrocław has already been tabbed as a European Capital of Culture for 2016, so this small matter of the European Football championships is little more than a tune-up for a city well-positioned to show the rest of Europe what it has to offer.

We’re old hands when it comes to that and Wrocław In Your Pocket has thorough and up-to-date information on everything in Wrocław, including hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sights, and plenty more besides.

Find out more about football in Wrocław, and the city's fantastic new stadium here.

The full Wrocław In Your Pocket guide can be downloaded in PDF format for free here. There is also an iPhone app available on the AppStore.

Wrocław In Your Pocket is also active on Twitter: Feel free to ask us any question you like about Wrocław.

We are also on Facebook.

Euro 2012 in Poznan

Matches to be played in Poznan (all kick offs CET)

Ireland v Croatia, Sunday June 10, 20:45
Italy v Croatia, Thursday June 14, 18:00
Italy v Ireland, Monday June 18, 20:45

Introducing Poznan


Poznan might be the least-known of the four Polish host cities, but this well-kept-secret has an Old Town Square with heaps of old-world charm that is lined with bars and restaurants sure to keep fans
entertained into the wee hours. Those looking for a slice of history will find the easily walkable city has lots of sights to explore, including the lush Citadel Park which plays host to an impressive Armaments Museum and the graves of several Great Escape victims. Poznan is the ideal place to mix Euro2012 football excitement with an interesting look at Polish history.

We have a guide to Poznan’s hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sights to help you plan your visit.

You can also find out more about football In Poznan and the newly-built stadium that will host the games.

The full Poznan In Your Pocket guide can easily be downloaded as a PDF for free here.

For the most current information on what’s happening in the city follow our Poznan In Your Pocket Twitter feed, where you can also send us any questions you have about the city. And if you like what you see become a fan of Poznan In Your Pocket on Facebook.

Euro 2012 in Gdansk

Matches to be played in Gdansk (all kick offs CET)

Spain v Italy, Sunday June 10, 18:00
Spain v Ireland, Thursday June 14, 20:45
Croatia v Spain, Monday June 18, 20:45

Winner Gp B v Runner up Gp A, Friday June 22, 20:45

Introducing Gdansk


Sure everyone lumps Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia into one convenient label – the Tri-City, or Trojmiasto in Polish – but it’s clear these sister cities have very specific sibling-like personalities that seem to emerge more and more each year. Football fans fortunate enough to draw the Tri-Cities will get to experience three times the fun of any other location thanks to Gdynia’s sandy beaches on the Baltic, Sopot’s great nightlife and the longest wooden pier in Europe, and Gdansk’s stunning Old Town and impressive historical sites.

We have a guide to Gdansk's hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sights and plenty more besides.

Find out more about football in Gdansk, and the city's fantastic new stadium here.

The full Gdansk In Your Pocket guide can be downloaded in PDF format for free here. There is also an iPhone app available on the AppStore.

Gdansk In Your Pocket is also active on Twitter: Feel free to ask us any question you like about Gdansk.

We are also on Facebook.

Euro 2012 in Kraków

Introducing Kraków


Despite being the most visited city in Poland, and perhaps the most well-loved by Poles, ex-pats and tourists alike, Kraków will not be hosting any matches during Euro 2012. While a surprise to many, this result has its advantages for both a city that hardly needs any additional summer tourist traffic, and football fans who would be wise to consider Kraków as a fifth viable option for Euro 2012 base camp. After all, this is the city in Poland with the most-developed tourist infrastructure, including plenty of outstanding accommodation options which are likely to be on offer at much cheaper rates than in the four proper Polish host cities. The precedent of choosing Kraków has already been set by some of the tournament’s top teams, including England, Italy and Holland – who will all be enjoying Kraków’s top training facilities during Euro 2012, as well as its high density of bars, pubs and clubs, we can only presume. In addition to roaring nightlife, Poland’s perfectly preserved ancient capital is so packed full of historical and architectural monuments that the entire Old Town and Kazimierz districts (essentially 70% of the city centre) were included on the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage List without hesitation. With easy train connections to Warsaw and Wrocław, Poland’s most charming, historical and proud city is as rational a choice as any of the host cities for Euro 2012, and has as much or more to offer between matches.

We’ve been covering Kraków’s tourist heights and hang-ups longer than anyone, and you’ll find Kraków In Your Pocket to be the most thorough, up-to-date and informative guide on everything Cracovian, including hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and sights, plus plenty more besides.

Find out more about football in Kraków here.

The full Kraków In Your Pocket guide can be downloaded in PDF format for free here. There is also an iPhone app available on the AppStore.

Kraków In Your Pocket is also active on Twitter: Feel free to ask us any question you like about Kraków.

We are also on Facebook.

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