Euro 2012 kicks off on Friday in Warsaw with a match between co-hosts Poland and 2004 champions Greece.
Euro 2012 kicks off on Friday in Warsaw with a match between co-hosts Poland and 2004 champions Greece.
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Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon might have been playing at Euro 2012 in front of his home fans if not for the match-fixing scandal that erupted before the tournament hosts were named in 2007.
Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon might have been playing at Euro 2012 in front of his home fans if not for the match-fixing scandal that erupted before the tournament hosts were named in 2007.
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Instead the joint bid from Ukraine and Poland, which had been third favorite out of three candidates, was awarded the event. Here former Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko (R) exchanges a signed trade agreement with his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski in Warsaw.
Instead the joint bid from Ukraine and Poland, which had been third favorite out of three candidates, was awarded the event. Here former Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko (R) exchanges a signed trade agreement with his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski in Warsaw.
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Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko -- seen here with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk (R) -- had come to power on the back of Ukraine's Orange Revolution.
Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko -- seen here with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk (R) -- had come to power on the back of Ukraine's Orange Revolution.
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Yushchenko survived an alleged poisoning attempt during the uprising, but lost out to Victor Yanukovych in the 2010 elections.
Yushchenko survived an alleged poisoning attempt during the uprising, but lost out to Victor Yanukovych in the 2010 elections.
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Tymoshenko is currently in prison, having been found guilty of abuse of power when in office. Her treatment since then has led to several European political leaders saying they will boycott Euro 2012.
Tymoshenko is currently in prison, having been found guilty of abuse of power when in office. Her treatment since then has led to several European political leaders saying they will boycott Euro 2012.
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The tournament has long been a difficult issue for European football's ruling body UEFA. Its president Michel Platini warned as early as 2008 that the hosts had much work to complete.
The tournament has long been a difficult issue for European football's ruling body UEFA. Its president Michel Platini warned as early as 2008 that the hosts had much work to complete.
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Stadiums such as this one in the Ukrainian city of Lviv had to be built from scratch, and there were also major concerns about both countries' infrastructure.
Stadiums such as this one in the Ukrainian city of Lviv had to be built from scratch, and there were also major concerns about both countries' infrastructure.
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However, the preparations have been completed and Kiev's Olympic stadium will host the final on July 1.
However, the preparations have been completed and Kiev's Olympic stadium will host the final on July 1.
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Fears have been raised about visiting supporters' safety after reports highlighting brutality by Ukrainian police and violence by racist fans in both host nations.
Fears have been raised about visiting supporters' safety after reports highlighting brutality by Ukrainian police and violence by racist fans in both host nations.
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Spanish supporters hope the 2010 World Cup winners can make history by defending their 2008 European title and become the first to win three successive major championships.
Spanish supporters hope the 2010 World Cup winners can make history by defending their 2008 European title and become the first to win three successive major championships.
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