Euro 2012 -Ukraine over Sweden

If you have been reading or watching the Ukrainian press, the Euro 2012 games are progressing and the sentiment all over Ukrainian and world press is exuberant, in fact the Euro 2012 games are the dominant news force! Ukraine is taking the opportunity to show its beautiful face to the world - Take a look at this great youtube video of Vbolivay - All Stars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLra3OxvAyk

by Mwangi Makarios

by Korrespondent

This all reminds me of a time, some years ago,  when we were in Greece.   I got a glimpse of how Europeans see their sport.  Walking through the streets of Ios (looking to buy a new bikini), I turned a corner and walked into a building, not knowing it was a church.  From the outside, it had no identifying marks, and clearly the structure was only simple.  But I walked in, and read the name plate, which said it this church was older than anything (anything!) in Canada.  A 600 year old church still in constant use.  Well, while I stood there, with my eyes popping from the amazing ikonostasis, a little boy of perhaps 6 years old, dressed in shorts and sneakers, came in holding his soccer ball.  I watched him run towards the ikon wall, say his prayers, and venerate the ikons, just moments went by, and then he scooted out of the church!  An amazing, intimate view of how in Greece, prayers are a real part of people's lives, and blessings are sought in the church even for soccer games.  Impressed me!

Maybe it isn't a surprise that these games have a strong current of "more than soccer" about them. With the Friendly Ukraine initiative, improvements to transportation, lodging, and the building of new stadiums, the entire world is expecting a lot from Poland and Ukraine's hosting of Euro 2012. This could the be the start of something good!

A great Youtube video says it all - We believe! - The efforts of the entire team - looking to the future!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOssl5p3Mcg

So in the news, photos of Shevchenko dominate, blue and yellow jersey's everywhere, and the faces of happy fans too! This lucky boy is having the time of his life!  

by Inspired

 At today's match Ukraine won over Sweden 2-1 - and Ukraine's Andrij Shevchenko got the two important goals!  Bravo Ukraina!!

Here' a video of the fans in Frankivsk enjoying Ukraine's first win at the Euro 2012    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHmetAc6QNs&feature=youtu.be

by Kiev

Hope you enjoy watching the games, wherever you may be! 

Euro 2012

Friends of ours are flying to Ukraine soon for the Euro 2012 Soccer Event this spring.   It's actually the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship being hosted by Poland and Ukraine. The entire world will be there, to cheer on the best soccer players.

Our friends sound so excited about the experience! Quite the soccer fans, you know.  I heard they are staying with family friends, but are planning to take the new fast train between tournament events, from Kyiv, and to see the teams play in Donetsk. That new stadium there sounds great - imagine the sea of blue and yellow jerseys and the crowds cheering.  I hope the games go well and everyone has a great time.  Wish I could go. 

Just heard in the news that there is a Friendly Ukraine initiative by some very community minded people there in Kiev.  Hospitality is the main point of their initiative - they want the world to see the friendly, generous nature of the average people there.  They are taking the opportunity to coordinate community efforts to help the games be successful.  In doing so, they hope to bring positive publicity to the efforts of average Ukrainian people to help international guests with their visit plans. Modest room accomodations, airport pickups, translation services and guided tours for fans are being offered by this positively minded group.  They plan to offer these services free -  I hope they have a lot of success and get a lot of publicity for the lovely people doing good things for Ukraine.  Maybe it's not too late to get tickets?  Good luck on the Euro 2012 initiative!!

Cool Euro videos from Ukraina...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniQfkIZAnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwqyfroaJg