hkskyline
February 17th, 2006, 01:57 AM
Potential hosts undertaking large infrastructure development for Euro 2012 bid
26 January 2006
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Hungary and Croatia said Thursday that many infrastructure development projects over the next few years were aimed at ensuring the success of their joint bid to host the 2012 European Championship.
The Hungary-Croatia bid is one of three in contention to host the tournament, with the winner set to be announced on Dec. 8. Italy and a Poland-Ukraine joint bid are the other candidates.
Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said his country was investing more than euro10 billion (US$12 billion) on projects including new highways linking all stadiums slated for use in 2012, a high-speed railway line, and new border crossings between the countries.
The renovation of Budapest's Ferenc Puskas Stadium -- where the 2012 final would be played if the bid was successful -- would cost euro500 million (US$612 million), according to Gyurcsany.
The Hungarian plan includes the construction of at least four new stadiums.
Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader said a winning bid by the two former socialist countries would be "extraordinarily important ... in the spirit of the project to unite Europe." Co-hosting the event could create 40,000 new jobs in Croatia, he said.
Hungary is making its third attempt to host the championship. Portugal beat a joint bid by Hungary and Austria for 2004, while Euro 2008 was awarded to Austria and Switzerland, with Hungary again finishing second.
26 January 2006
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Hungary and Croatia said Thursday that many infrastructure development projects over the next few years were aimed at ensuring the success of their joint bid to host the 2012 European Championship.
The Hungary-Croatia bid is one of three in contention to host the tournament, with the winner set to be announced on Dec. 8. Italy and a Poland-Ukraine joint bid are the other candidates.
Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said his country was investing more than euro10 billion (US$12 billion) on projects including new highways linking all stadiums slated for use in 2012, a high-speed railway line, and new border crossings between the countries.
The renovation of Budapest's Ferenc Puskas Stadium -- where the 2012 final would be played if the bid was successful -- would cost euro500 million (US$612 million), according to Gyurcsany.
The Hungarian plan includes the construction of at least four new stadiums.
Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader said a winning bid by the two former socialist countries would be "extraordinarily important ... in the spirit of the project to unite Europe." Co-hosting the event could create 40,000 new jobs in Croatia, he said.
Hungary is making its third attempt to host the championship. Portugal beat a joint bid by Hungary and Austria for 2004, while Euro 2008 was awarded to Austria and Switzerland, with Hungary again finishing second.