EURO-2012 LOGO

UEFA EURO-2012 Official logo, recently presented in Kyiv, Ukraine at St. Michael’s Square by Michel Platini, has got lots of fans critisism. They say, it brings up an association with the “chupa-chups” candy or with the “flower on the grave.”
Ukrainian fans also did not like the fact, if to imagine the logo as a pedestal, Ukraine gets on the lowest, third place. Polish fans are complaining about the colors of the “Polish flower”. They say it is necessary to swap the colors on it, because on the Polish flag white goes first and red is after it. And yet this flower looks like a tulip, which is a symbol of Holland, noticed the visitors of www.sport.pl

However, UEFA explains the logo this way: the flower with petals symbolizes the country hosts. A ball in the center is a symbol of emotions and tension of the tournament, a stem is a “fortress” of the continental championship, UEFA and a continental football. A slogan “Making the History Together” is related to the fact, that the upcoming tournament will go down in history as the first championship of the Old World, held in Central and Eastern Europe.

UEFA EURO-2012 Official Logo was created by Helder Pombinho from Portugal. He said, when his wife saw this logo, she called him a madman. “The image was ready six months ago, but the process of searching for ideas to the final realization took a year”, says the logo creator. According to Helder Pombinho, the flower idea came to his mind after he saw a Ukrainian/Polish vytynanka (the art form of papercutting – look here), as he has never seen anything like it.

Companies, who wish to produce products with Euro 2012 logo, will be able to realize their plans not earlier than June 2010. Under UEFA rules, contracts for the right to use the flag, logo and other symbols of the champioship are signed two years prior the tournament.

“All products, branded with Euro-2012 logo belong to UEFA. We just need to organize their sale, but we get nothing for it,” – says Victor Hristoev, the director of the Department of Kharkov preparing for Euro 2012.

In order to earn money on souvenirs, Ukraine will have to find other ways. “Our country could develop our own logo for Euro-2012 and use it without UEFA permission. Ministry of Culture will deal with this issue,” – says Valery Zhaldak, the deputy head of the Coordinating Bureau on the preparation and hosting of Euro-2012 in Ukraine. This alternative logo should not look like the original, and the phrase “Euro-2012″ could not be used on it as well.

Partly Ukraine’s desire to develop an alternative logo connected with very strict UEFA rules regarding the rights to use UEFA Marks on products. In order to produce T-shirts, mugs and flags with the European Championship symbols, a company have to obtain a special license and such companies will be determined through open tenders by UEFA.

Writes “Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine” in the article “The emblem of Euro 2012 has become” vitinanka, at an official presentation attended Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the mayors of all eight cities – participants of the tournament: Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Donetsk , Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan and Gdansk. Among the guests were Ukrainian owners of the Golden Ball – Igor Belanov and Andriy Shevchenko, the president of the National Olympic Committee Serhiy Bubka, the Minister Yuriy Pavlenko and president of Dynamo Igor Surkis.

After the official presentation of the logo and slogan of Euro 2012 Michel Platini, Igor Surkis and Grzegorz Lato held a joint press conference.

UEFA President, as always, charming smile, and was in excellent spirits.

“On the street today, of course, not very warm, but bright and sunny in our hearts, – said the president of UEFA. – I’m really happy that Ukraine and Poland have succeeded in taking a difficult route and come by today. Because of the economic crisis, we had to constantly remind the Ukraine on the date of preparation. But now all behind us and the situation has changed dramatically – everything goes according to plan. There are, of course, minor problems that relate to the period of construction of airports in the Donetsk and Gdansk, but it’s little things that can be solved. ”

UEFA President also explained why, despite the many difficulties in the preparation, Euro-2012 it was entrusted to Ukraine and Poland: “When the executive committee of UEFA took the decision, he wanted the football came to Eastern Europe. It gets much more than just football. After all, the championship is over, and the Ukraine and Poland will have a strong infrastructure for all. your children will live better thanks to the Euro.

Like a birthday boy, beaming at the presentation of FFU president Grigoriy Surkis. “I feel like the coach of the national team, which after a hard game still won – joked Grigory Mikhailovich. – But I hope that this time we do not expect a series of penalty shoot-out. I therefore urge all Ukrainians finally get rid of an inferiority complex and stop talking about the fact that we can take Euros.

UEFA President also explained why, despite the many difficulties during the preparation, the hosting of Euro 2012 has gone to Ukraine and Poland: “When UEFA executive committee took this decision, they wanted the football to come to Eastern Europe. It gets much more than just football. After all, the championship will be over, but Ukraine and Poland will have a strong infrastructure left.”

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