Tests – one of most important elements of preparing for Euro 2012

September 16, 2011

The Poland-Germany match, which took place on 6th September at the stadium in Gdańsk, was the first large-scale, international event organized at the structure opened at end of July this year. This event was used by the PL.2012 company and its partners in national preparations for Euro 2012 in terms of performing vital tests and observations. Subjected to testing was not only the stadium but also key organizational areas of the city such as safety, public transport, medical care as well as guest and tourist services. Knowledge and conclusions gained through these observations will be utilized in upcoming preparations for the European Championship in all of the Host Cities.

The stadiums being constructed in connection with the Euro 2012 are being commissioned with appropriate “time buffers” permitting their testing prior to the real Tournament in June of 2012. The 6th September at the Gdańsk stadium saw several elements come together, including safety, in-stadium medical care, public transport or information provided to fans within the public area by volunteers and at Fan’s Embassies; all functioning in a manner similar to that which shall be seen during the Euro 2012. With nearly nine months prior to Tournament, we are focusing above all on the preparations in organization as well as joining infrastructure with the organization. It is exactly the quality of organization and fan and tourist services, which will determine the Tournament’s success in 2012 and Poland’s image gained after Euro 2012 on the international arena. The match between Poland and Germany allowed not only to test the stadium itself, but also due to the scale of the event, also the functioning of the entire city. It is without doubt that observation of functioning of adapted solutions in real life situations is one of the most effective ways of verifying and perfecting planned procedures and systems. Testing and observation were conducted in Gdańsk by the PL.2012 company in cooperation with other institutions responsible for the city’s Euro 2012 preparations, including the Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration as well as football-oriented partners.

Above all safety

Safety has since very beginning been one of the priorities in Poland’s preparations of Euro 2012. The safety procedures which have been implemented within the area of the stadium during Poland’s match with Germany were identical to those which are to be applied during all Euro 2012 matches. The procedures differ significantly from the rules used during league matches in Poland. As an example, aside from the typically established so-called “safety zone”, a second safety zone had been implemented within areas surrounding the structure. Thanks to this solution, fans undergo checks prior to even entering the building. Trained stewards were present inside the building, who had previously received special training in terms of cooperating with fans. All services were functioning on the basis of the main principle assigned to all Euro 2012 preparations – “have fun, feel safe”. It assumes assurance of maximum safety level for the event’s participants, while maintaining tolerance for behaviours characteristic for the atmosphere of a football celebration, with involvement of security service personnel only in essential situations. All security services were keeping watch not only over the safety of event’s participants but were trained in cooperating with fans and providing them with useful information.

Merging general organization, transport and infrastructure

It stems from experience of former large, international, sports event organizers, that success of an event and subsequent image of Host County is decided not only by infrastructure but service of fans and tourists as well as the overall event organization. This later element is especially significant in area of transport. Success of Euro 2012 and Poland’s positive image abroad after its conclusion will depend not only on quality of modern busses, trains or motorway networks but also on fluent organization in the field of transport. Of key significance will be connecting of transport infrastructure with finely-tuned and planned transport solutions. Without appropriate road sings and transport systems within cities, complex information at air ports and railway stations, appropriate volumes of busses or trams connecting air ports or rail stations with the stadium and appropriate planning of transport schedules, we fill not succeed in leaving a good impression as a host country, despite having even the most modern trains, air ports or motorways.

It is for this reason that the match in Gdańsk and tests realized by its way, were mainly focused on organization of area of transport. Tests and observations were performed also at the Gdańsk air port. During Euro 2012, nearly half of the fans will arrive in our country using air transport. The appropriate organization of air traffic, passenger checks and information concerning public transport, city’s attractions or the Tournament itself, will play a great role in the success of the event.

Marcin Herra,
The President of The Board, PL.2012
Marcin Herra’s isportconnect-profile-widget
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