In the first of two articles on Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine, Ukrainian journalist Mark Rachkevych presents the rocky road of Ukraine’s Euro 2012 preparations. Overspending and corruption cases have surrounded the country’s construction and infrastructure projects in preparation for the tournament.

The global edition of The New York Times - International Herald Tribune - offers a take on Ukraine as a EURO 2012 host. The one-page special feature Ukraine: EURO 2012 covers the issues of football championship organization, the state of infrastructure in the country, as well as tourist attractions.

Tired of seeing their country criticized as greedy and unfriendly, a group of Ukrainians on Monday announced a project to provide free accommodation, translation and other services to foreign football fans attending next month’s European Championship.

Tired of seeing their country criticized as greedy and unfriendly, a group of Ukrainians on Monday announced a project to provide free accommodation, translation and other services to foreign football fans attending next month's European Championship.

  Ukraine's experienced midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has a lot of pressure on him but he makes light of it and is confident the adrenaline of co-hosting Euro 2012 will see them defy the sceptics and go the whole way.