SPORTS> Feature and Column
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SPORTS> Feature and Column
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Soccer-Croatia looks ahead to Euro 2012 joint bid
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-09 10:45 GREEN LIGHT "Should we get the green light, they would certainly be further improved." The government gave full support to the Euro 2012 bid, believing the event would improve the image of the country and help develop its tourist industry, which secures close to 25 percent of the former Yugoslav republic's gross domestic product. But, according to initial estimates, Croatia may have to invest around 300 million euros ($384.7 million) to make its stadiums capable of hosting such a big competition. Grounds in Zagreb, Split and Osijek would have to be rebuilt while Rijeka would need a new one. The experience of Portugal, which hosted the event two years ago, shows initial estimates may fall a long way short of the final sum, while there is also a problem of high maintenance costs later. Boris Magas, a renowned Split architect who would be in charge of stadiums in Split and Rijeka, agrees the investment would be huge. "It always comes down to more than the first cost estimate. So far we have only done the initial calculation and a more elaborate study will show the real state of the stadiums," he said. In addition, estimates have not taken into account various demands related to urban infrastructure such as car parks and traffic networks. The Split ground, home of the Hajduk club, is most likely to need the lowest investment of about 20 million euros. The Zagreb stadium, home of the Dinamo club, only holds 35,000 fans and would need expanding to cater for 60,000. "It has not been easy for (World Cup hosts) Germany to invest millions of euros in stadiums but if a country decides to venture into organising such events, everything has to be top class," said Magas. The Croatian team launch their World Cup challenge against champions Brazil in Berlin on Tuesday. Their other Group F opponents are Australia and Japan.
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