Euro 2012 in Ukraine – the final analysis

Fireworks erupt above Kiev’s Olympiyskiy (Olympic) Stadium to conclude the 2012 European Football Championship – Photo By GLEB GARANICH/REUTERS

THE sport and, of course, the party that was Euro 2012 is over.

Euro 2012 kicked off in Warsaw, Poland and came to an end three weeks later in Kiev, Ukraine on Sunday. The final match for the European Football Championship title saw Spain rightfully claim the title of best team in Europe (and the world) in a 4-0 drubbing of Italy at Olympiyskiy Stadium.

Now, comes the dissection of the tournament.

It was the largest event to be hosted in Eastern Europe since the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Much has changed since then, the “Iron Curtain” fell, the map of Europe has been redrawn several times, what hasn’t changed is traditional East/West bias.

Months of warnings, perpetuated by the British and European media, proved groundless and largely overblown with the tournament hailed as a success.

The criticism of Ukraine was particularly harsh. Mass media alleged Ukraine’s hosting of the Euro 2012 would be marred by racist violence and organizational chaos.

Instead, Ukraine is enjoying the success of an event that has, for now at least, transformed its image.

Booked.net has followed the championship since it was in its’ preparation stages, here’s our thoughts.

Last-minute Euro 2012 hotel booking a lottery

ENGLAND’S progression to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 has led to an army of Lions fans desperately trying to get to Ukraine, but accommodation is a “lottery” Booked.net says.

Airlines are heavily booked and competition for accommodation among the 500,000 foreign fans expected in the Ukrainian capital Kiev is fierce.

England next plays Italy in the knock-out phase of the UEFA European Football Championship at Kiev’s Olympiysky Stadium on Sunday, June 24.

According to online reservation website http://www.booked.net/ there are rooms available in the city if fans act fast.

Booked.net chief communications officer Jared Morgan said a quick search of the site’s data bases revealed a handful of rooms were available in the city in the lead-up to Sunday’s quarter final.

“Admittedly, it’s a lottery, my guess is last minute fans are simply looking for a bed for the night,” he said. “So, if location isn’t an issue, then by all means take the gamble.”