Officials prepare to cover the UEFA European Championship (EURO) trophy after it was unveiled by India's former soccer player Baichung Bhutia in Kolkata February 26, 2012. The UEFA trophy is in India as part of a promotional tour through different cities to engage with the soccer fans of the country. RUPAK DE CHOWDHURI/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrglsoccerphotos184107
Sports fans will always argue about what is the more popular sport. But when it comes to worldwide ratings soccer, is king and is about to once again show its dominance with the 2012 UEFA European Championship. The top European teams will play 31 matches over the next month and are expected to draw and average of 150 Million viewers. The teams are all European but it is evident that the world will be watching.
Poland and Ukraine qualified as the co-hosts of the tournament becoming the third joint host in tournament history. The other 14 spots were filled by qualifying teams and will include 2008 Euro Champion, and 2010 World Cup Champion, Spain along with Germany who will be looking to make up for their 1-0 loss in the 2008 final.
Polish supporters cheer for their team during the international friendly soccer match between Poland and Portugal at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, 29 February 2012. The first match, that was played at the National Stadium, built for the UEFA Euro 2012 soccer championship, ended 0-0. BARTLOMIEJ ZBOROWSKI/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos312748
Cheering Spanish national team with Fernando Torres (r) and Santi Cazorla (l) after the finals between Germany and Spain 0:1 on 29 June 2008 in Vienna. Anke Fleig / SVEN SIMON/picture-alliance / Sven Simon/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: dpaphotos635509
Soccer fans gather for the public viewing in Cologne, Germany on 29 June 2008. Germany faces Spain in the European soccer championship UEFA EURO 2008 final match at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria on 29 June. ROLF VENNENBERND/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotostwo271450
Fans will also be watching for international super star and heartthrob Cristiano Ronaldo who will lead again lead Portugal in their quest for the country’s first Euro championship. As with any championship of this magnitude, they will face stiff competition from every team who is hungry to get their hands on the Championship trophy.
Portuguese national soccer team forward Cristiano Ronaldo conducts stretching exercises during his team's training session at Praia Del Rey, near Obidos, Portugal, 29 May 2012. The Portuguese national team is preparing for the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer championship. MARIO CRUZ/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos421299
Dutch national team soccer players during the first training session of the Netherland's national soccer team in Lausanne, Switzerland, 18 May 2012. Netherlands National Football Team is in Lausanne for a training camp in preparation for the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer championship, hosted jointly by Poland and Ukraine. LAURENT GILLIERON/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos402012
Italy's defender Angelo Ogbonna wears a face mask as part of a fitness test during a training session of the Italian national team at Coverciano Sport Center, Florence, 26 May 2012. Italy is preparing for the UEFA EURO 2012. CARLO FERRARO/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos416892
The tournament will kick off Friday, June 8, when host Poland will face Greece followed by Russia vs. Czech Republic. Crews across the counties and are working on the final touches including security in the eight stadiums stadium. It is not all serious work some players find some time for fun and games.
Workers paint a special lane for fans who will drive by cars to Ukraine for Euro 2012 has been designated at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland, 25 May 2012. EURO 2012 tournament will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine from 8 June to 1 July. Darek Delmanowicz/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos416201
Dutch national team goalkeeper Tim Krul jokes with a fake moustache after the first training session of the Netherland's national soccer team in Lausanne, Switzerland, 18 May 2012. Netherlands National Football Team is in Lausanne for a training camp in preparation for the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer championship, hosted jointly by Poland and Ukraine. LAURENT GILLIERON/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos401780
All of the preparation blood sweat at tears will all lead to the Championship game on July 1 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine where 83,011 fans will pack the seats and another 200 million plus will watch from home as Europe crowns a champion.
For more photos and videos from Euro 2012 check out Newscom.
Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Final Stadium the European Championship 2012. imago sportfotodienst/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: imagosports471834
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