Ukrainians Set Football Match in Mt Everest
Football fans will be treated to a match that will literally give them the highs when Euro 12 opens on June 8, 2012. Ukrainian mountaineers will perform the ceremonial opening game on Mount Everest as their country co-hosts the month-long tournament with Poland.
Sergei Kovaloyov, president of Donetsk Region Alpinism Federation, announced they will hold the soccer game in the world's highest mountain in honor of Euro 2012, according to Ria Novosti. Kovaloyov said Ukraine will make the symbolic first goal from the high-altitude game.
It will be the first time that Ukraine and Poland will host the football tournament that will pit 16 of Europe's national teams. The UEFA, Europe's association of football clubs, chose in 2007 the joint bid of Poland and Ukraine to host the event.
It will also be Ukraine's debut in the tournament as an independent country.
Ukraine's team will be in Group D, which also includes Sweden, France and England. Poland will be in Group A together with Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic.
The other teams are Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Portugal in Group B, and Spain, Italy, Ireland and Croatia in Group C.
Spain is the defending champion in the quadrennial tournament. The winner of next year's tournament gains automatic entry to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by Brazil.