What to do while in Ukraine

“Respect Diversity” is the official anti-racism campaign program in the UEFA Euro 2012 football competition. It is part of a social campaign program (Social Responsibility programme) “Respect” from UEFA. This anti racism social campaign will be conducted by UEFA with FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) and NEVER AGAIN (Nigdy Wiecej) one member of the anti racism association in Poland. This campaign will promote the positive messages of a difference (diversity) through various activities before and during the Euro 2012 tournament underway. The Respect Diversity programme will be implemented with the cooperation of UEFA’s long-time partner the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network and its associated organisation Never Again. It will promote the positive message of diversity through various activities before and during the tournament, peaking at the semi-finals. UEFA, FARE, Never Again Association and the various agencies, local activist groups supporting the

With rumours swirling about an imminent England NT roster announcement, what you say we have a look at the team’s lodging? After vowing to eliminate any outside variables that could disrupt the team’s preparations, the FA chose one of Krakow’s only 5-star boutique hotels, Hotel Stary. Luxurious amenities the city-centre hotel boasts include a rooftop bar, free internet access and a 10% discount for guests who eat in. As fate would have it, one of our staffers was in Krakow not too long ago so we sent her on a snooping mission. The Lobby: Hotel Stary is unassuming from the outside and blink twice you might miss it (it is tucked away just one street from Rynek Główny aka Main Market Square). Inside though it’s airy, light (one might say too light especially after a heavy night) and has a decidedly boutique feel. The staff is friendly, courteous and fast. Did we mention they serve complimentary choc truffles with coffee? The Guest Rooms: The lodging’s name tra

The Platium Hotel near Kiev is the  next location to highlight on our EURO 2012 Stalker’s Map . This delightful hotel is where the Sweden NT are rumoured to be resting between their group games vs. England, Ukraine and France. The Hall: Our standard litmus test for any prospective stalking mission goes a little something like this: survey the room and determine amount of decoys needed to conceal three staffers, two editors, accompanying luggage, pets and stragglers. should an unexpected security check occur during our illegal entry. Yeah, that beige sofa set isn’t going to cut it and that’s one hell of a staircase to pull a walk of shame on. Not a great start, really. The Swimming pool: Looking at this picture gives us a headache. We’re not sure if that’s the result of clever lens trickery or last night’s vodka frenzy. We’re liking the loungers and the plunge pool thingy, but don’t the people in charge realise that marble on the floor of pool room isn’t entire

-England fans face 'sonic cannon' blasts - Supporters' campsite is grim wasteland Fans face a grim welcome at Euro 2012 — with innocent supporters under threat of being permanently deafened by cops wielding anti-hooligan “sonic cannons”. The ear-splitting gizmos mounted on trucks were unveiled as police chiefs vowed zero-tolerance to thuggery when the tournament kicks off next month. Last night there were growing fears the indiscriminate weapons — which unleash bursts of sound equivalent to a jet engine taking off — could also maim those not involved in any trouble. The peril from  COPS  in England’s host city of Krakow emerged as our players, including John Terry and Wayne Rooney, also braced themselves for a hellish reception — from home-grown Polish YOBS .  One faction is plotting to tear up the newly-laid training pitch with a horse and plough. Other louts have plans to tie up security guards so they can sabotage power cables to th

Most domestic seasons haven’t closed, yet the names of those heading off to the lands of continental glory in the Polkraine are already dropping, along with some of the squads to be whittled down in the coming weeks (the deadline being May 29th). Today Giovanni Trappatoni announced Ireland’s formal 23 and Germany a damn close 27. Ireland: Keepers:  Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, David Forde Defenders:  Richard Dunne, John O’Shea, Sean St.Ledger, Darren O’Dea, Stephen Ward, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley, Midfielders:  Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Keith Andrews, Keith Fahey, Damien Duff, Aiden McGeady, Stephen Hunt, James McClean, Forwards:  Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox, Shane Long, Jonathan Walters. Standby list:  Darren Randolph, Paul McShane, Paul Green, Seamus Coleman, Andy Keogh Germany: Goalkeeper:  Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Tim Wiese, Ron-Robert Zieler Defense:  Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes, Mats Hummels, Philipp Lahm, Per