The representatives of mobile Fan Embassies from Czech and Russia arrived in Wroclaw. Also Thomas Gassler of the Football Supporters Europe association, coordinating the Fan Embassy preparatory works in Poland and Ukraine on behalf of UEFA as well as Dariusz Łapiński of PL.2012, the project's coordinator in Poland, put in their appearance. The meeting was hosted by the representatives of Supporters United Wroclaw and the Wroclaw City Hall.Already since the World Cup in 1990, Fan Embassies constitute an integral part of preparations of the biggest football events. Football fans willingly take advantage of assistance of other football supporters while the Embassies cooperate with the organisers of championships closely. Thanks to the work of the Embassies as well as of the ambassadors, foreign fans receive verified and useful information both during the event and at the stage of preparations of the journey.
VIEW THE PHOTOGALLERY FROM THE WORKSHOPS
The first day of the workshops was reserved for the presentation of the city's preparations for the Tournament in various areas hence the presence of representatives of most of the institutions engaged in the organisation of the UEFA EURO 2012™ in Wroclaw.
Maciej Skroban from the City Hall's Office for EURO presented the plans concerning organisation of the Fan Zone in Rynek Główny and Plac Solny. He emphasised that many mass events had already been successfully organised there. The attractions in the Zone will be profiled to match the teams which are to play their games in this city. The proposals for days without scheduled games take into consideration Ecology Day, Women's Day, and Wroclaw Day.Dmitri Stratievski from the Russian Fan Embassy highlighted that fans are far from being passively waiting for the Host Cities ready-made offer, but are working on preparation of their own proposals as well. He quoted the activities of the Russian House during previous football events.
Speaking of the City Stadium in Wroclaw, Magdalena Malara of Wrocław 2012, stressed that all the events heretofore attracted enough audience to completely fill the venue. The guests were interested in the atmosphere in the new facility. 'Sometimes the issues of the costs of construction of the facility are raised, but all this is totally forgotten once you get to the stands,' said Jakub Kurowski of Supporters United Wroclaw, emphasising very good acoustics of the facility.
Accommodation also featured on the meeting's agenda. 'According to our estimates, each game will attract around ten thousand Czech football fans. Many of them are interested in staying in Wroclaw for the entire group phase of the tournament, but accommodation prices are of decisive significance for them,' Bara Jindrova from the Czech Fan Embassy said.Also the issue of volunteer services for fans was discussed. 'We have just completed the application stage, we have received applications from more than 1,600 volunteers from all over the world,' announced Grzegorz Pyzałka, the Wroclaw coordinator of the UEFA EURO 2012 Host Cities Volunteers. 'It would be great if you could involve as many volunteers from Greece, Russia, and Czech as possible,' Thomas Gassler added.
The issue of organisation of transport during the championships also enjoyed substantial interest. Wroclaw authorities are preparing a rich and convenient offer encouraging to make use of the city's public transport, including the organisation of Park and Ride (Pl: Parkuj i Jedź) parking sites, the launch of special bus and tram lines, and an extensive road sign system.
All participants agreed on the importance of cooperation between Fan Embassies and security services and agencies. 'Our experience confirms that Fan Embassies play a substantial role in guaranteeing efficient and safe course of football events,' says Dariusz Łapiński of PL.2012, 'It is to them that football supporters from abroad turn to, even before they contact public services. One of the challenges we face is to develop a mechanism for communicating with these services and involving them only in cases when such an intervention is really necessary.'
'In Austria, the cooperation with host cities was not as good as it is here,' Thomas Gassler declared at a press conference, 'It is good to see people who are so committed, it is a guarantee of the success of the Tournament. We want to tell fans that not only will EURO 2012 in Poland be safe, but that there are beautiful places waiting for them.'More on fan projects:: www.kibice-razem.pl
More reading: Respect Fan Culture
SOURCE, PHOTO: PL.2012