For the first time the UEFA European Soccer Cup takes place in two countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Poland and Ukraine. In Poland the group matches will be played in four cities: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw (the capital), and Wroclaw. In Ukraine, the host cities are: Kharkov, Donetsk, Lviv and Kiev (the capital of the country), which will also host the final match on July 1.

EURO 2012 in Poland at a glance:

* Euro 2012 tournament lasts from June 8 to July 1
* June 8 - the opening match, with the participation of the Polish national team – starts at 6:00 pm, National Stadium
* Competition Group: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw
* Competition Group matches will begin simultaneously at: 6.00 pm and 8.45 pm.
* Quarter-final matches: Warsaw - June 21, at 8.45 pm; Gdansk - June 22, at 8.45 pm
* Semifinal match: Warsaw - June 28, at 8:45 pm
* Euro Card 2012 will facilitate fans with the use of multiple services. These include: health insurance, accommodation, transportation in and between the host cities.

In Poland, fans can expect the most modern stadiums, built specifically for the Euro, comfortable accommodations and attractive entertainment programs. The so called "Fan Zones" will be located in the center of each host city, where fans will be able to follow the matches on large monitors. In addition, Fan Zones will serve as a venue for great food, concerts, parties and interaction.
Located in various parts of the host cities, will be the "fan's embassies". These sites will serve as points for obtaining additional information, lost and found as well as any other assistance. These embassies are supported by the Football Supporters Europe and local soccer fan clubs.
It is estimated that the matches of Euro 2012 in Poland will be viewed by 670 thousand fans out of which 420 thousand from abroad and a million and a half is expected to visit Fan Zones.

Polish soccer is associated with the names of famous players: Grzegorz Lato (top scorer of the World Cup in Germany, 1974), Kazimierz Deyna and Zbigniew Boniek (player of Juventus and Roma). Interestingly, our national team twice occupied the third place in the world championships - in 1974 in Germany, beating Brazil 1-0 and in Spain in 1982, winning 3-2 against France - but in the European Championships it was unsuccessful. Maybe ... As hosts, we hope and whish that Euro 2012 will bring success to every team. We invite all the fans to the Polish cities: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw for Euro 2012.

Discover Poland during Euro 2012

If this is your first visit to Poland, you will find that Poland is a great destination for a relatively cheap holiday or just a city break!

Exploring the four Polish cities hosting the UEFA European Soccer Cup is a good way to discovering if Poland as your perfect holiday destination.

Warszawa (Warsaw) - the capital of Poland, situated in the heart of Poland, is a business centre and a cosmopolitan city with a picturesque old town, full of restaurants & cafes, royal parks & beautiful palaces. Warsaw also will also be hosting the largest number of matches during the Euro 2012 Championships.

The Warsaw Tourist Card. The best way of getting to know the city. The card entitles its holders to discounts in some hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues and clubs, cafes, and restaurants. With it you can use the public transport and have free entrance to some museums and art galleries. The card can be purchased in tourist information points: The Palace of Culture and Science (entrance from ul. Emilii Plater); Chopin Airport – terminal A; Rynek Starego Miasta 19/21.

The UEFA EURO 2012TM hotels. Warsaw waits for football supporters with over 40,000 hotel rooms; you will be spoil for choice between the eleven 5-star, nine 4-star, and several dozen 3-star hotels. There are also hostels, apartments, boarding houses, youth hostels, dorms, and campsites in the suburbs with good access to the center.

Warsaw Chopin Airport +48 22 650 42 20, website

Warsaw Central Railway Station. Warsaw’s main railway station (Al. Jerozolimskie 54) and the central national and international railway junction. Underground tunnels connect it with other city and suburban stations (Warsaw Fast City Rail).

Warsaw Tourist Information +48 22 194 31, 474 11 42, website

Match Dates: 8th, 12th, 16th, 21st and 28th June

Wroclaw is laying in the south-west of the country. Wroclaw (sometimes called the Venice of the North) is a vibrant cultural & academic centre, scenically located on the River Odra with more than 100 various bridges and crossings, 12 islands, miles of boulevards and promenades along the river.

The UEFA EURO 2012TM hotels. Wrocław will welcome The UEFA EURO 2012TM supporters with 30 thousand rooms in 3, 4, and 5 star hotels, apartments, guest houses, hostels, campuses and campsites at the city limits. There are additional 23 thousand rooms in hotels and resorts in the neighbourhood – not more than 2 hours’ drive from the city.

Copernicus Airport Wrocław +48 71 358 11 00, website

Tourist information +48 71 344 31 11, website

Match Dates: 8th, 12th and 16th June

Gdansk is a northern city on the Baltic Sea coast with great beaches, history and plenty of amber. It is the location where World War II started and also, more recently, where the Solidarity movement was born. While here, visitors can also visit the lovely seaside resort of Sopot and industrial city of Gdynia.

The tourist card. The card provides accommodation discounts (in some hotels), concession tickets for theatrical performances and concerts, discounts at selected restaurants, car rental services, the Aquapark, and the SPA. You can buy souvenirs and amber jewellery at reduced prices in some shops in the Old Town. You will be able to enter some museums free of charge and with the card use the city public transport.

The UEFA EURO 2012TM hotels. Gdańsk has a wide range of hotels, boarding houses, and apartments catering to all needs – 15 thousand rooms, from luxury suites in 5-star hotels, to cosy and comfortable guestrooms.

Tourist information Centre +48 58 301 43 55, website

Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport +48 58 348 11 63, website

Match Dates: 10th, 14th, 18th and 22nd June

Poznan is one of the oldest cities in Poland, with a colourful old town & four large inviting lakes where visitors can relax & swim close to the centre. The city is surrounded by picturesque countryside with many more lakes and forests.

The Poznań City Card. The Poznań City Card provides free of charge admission or discount tickets to 60 tourist attractions; free city bus tickets, entrance to most museums and discounts at sports and leisure centres, some hotels, and restaurants. The card can be purchased at City Information Points at ul. Ratajczaka 44, at Poznań-Ławica Airport, and at Tourist Information, Stary Rynek 59.

The UEFA EURO 2012TM hotels. Accommodation has been prepared in hotels of various standards for the supporters coming to the UEFA EURO 2012TM, on campuses, in boarding houses, apartments, campsites on the outskirts of the city, and in nearby towns – e.g. Gniezno.

Poznań Ławica International Airport +48 61 847 33 95, website

City Information Center +48 61 851 96 45, website

Match Dates: 10th, 14th and 18th June