After unveiling the logo of EURO 2012 on Mykhailivska square there was a presentation of the brand and visual identity of the Tournament. Also a press-conference of Michel Platini, Grzegorz Lato and Grygoriy Surkis was held at InterContinental hotel. The president of the Football Federation of Ukraine took the floor.
“Dear mass media representatives,
Frankly speaking , today I feel as if I’ve been coaching a national team who reached a positive result after a tough exhausting clash. The score board displays the desired four. I feel like winning the UEFA EURO 2012 tender for the second time after Cardiff.
Nonetheless, I do not have a desire to relive new penalty shoot-outs that took place way back on May 13th in Bucharest. Otherwise my UEFA colleagues might think that we deliberately set artificial obstacles with further overcoming them trying to mislead people that this is our intrinsic national way of preparing to the European championship. I am telling this without a hidden irony because I have a moral right to do it.
But my words do not come with an enclosed sarcasm, as I realize that the unveiled logo today is virtually a distinct face of the tournament. And this face should not go along with a wicked game. In fact our side must not show a wicked game altogether.
Henceforth, our management alongside with majority of patriotic-spirited citizens are obliged to prove daily that the decision on Madeira had been resulted after lasting positive tendencies rather than random cases.
I was truly displeased by one of the first questions coming from the journalists after UEFA Executive Committee confirmed four host cities in Ukraine. A reporter was wondering on what condition Michel Platini could obviously call off this decision.
I reckon this sore inferiority complex should be immediately rooted out of the grassroots’ conscience to prevent its spread to the healthy part of the society. Hereby we should release ourselves from the load of demagogy and populism that cause a constant harm to the tournament preparation. Notably, the world will respect us not only for the slogan ‘Love Ukraine!’ but for the way we prove it in life.
As to a special mission of the UEFA President I want to share a very interesting supervision of sociologists with you. They have explored public opinion as to the project of EURO 2012. It came to light that in these latter days the name Michel is not only connected with the legendary pages from the history of world football by Kyiv citizens. This name is also brought into harmony with protection of The Archistratigus Michael, which is incused at the coat of arms of ancient Kyiv.
In fact, we have obtained invaluable experience during almost two years of severe distance trials on the way to a desired aim. Together with the experts and the specialists of a highest qualification we found and adjusted the most favourable variants of rational constructive and effective decisions thanks to the wise designers of a model, introduced on the initiative of the President, Executive Committee and UEFA Administration.
I often appealed to the journalists as to our allies after April 18, 2007. There is one more very important reason for this today. Dear friends, pay attention that according to the decision of UEFA on December 11 four valuable regional centers have already appeared on the Ukrainian section of UEFA’s road map. These centers will hand the relay baton of the presentation of the Tournament’s logo. The power of the wave of positive supply for the millions of our compatriots depends on you.
Today the host cities of EURO 2012 really become unique polygon for approbation of modern forms of organization of work and managing all aspects of preparation for European Championship. During thirty months all intellectual, logistical, financial resources will be concentrated just at their spaces. Together with a creative initiative of the local managerial elite they will present a fantastic football holiday.
The official slogan of the tournament is ‘Creating History Together!’. There are a lot of optimism and confidence in tomorrow in this phrase. I call all present to contribute their share into infesting the content of a newly born logo of EURO 2012 with only positive creative meaning.
Thank you for cooperation.”
