VIENNA.- Giant footbal boots and bigger footballs are on show in the museum quarter as part of the Euro Cup 2008 celebration. The red carpet had been rolled out, the football gala can begin. All preconditions guaranteed by the public sector have been met. In-time completion of the stadia in accordance with UEFA-standards and preparation of security and traffic measures constitute the core elements, which are linked to comprehensive detailed planning in many other areas.

Experience has shown that the first match day of such a tournament presents a spe-cial challenge to all organisational units, requiring highest concentration and coordi-nated communication", Mr. Palme, Chief Governmental Coordinator for the EURO 2008, stated.

Information regarding the preparations can be found in the third status report “Koor-dination Bundesregierung“ (Coordination Federal Government) under www.fussballverbindet.at/aktuelles/news/38/koordination.

"The present weather conditions are indeed not ideal for all the different organisa-tional measures, but – as matters stand – will in no way impair the process of the UEFA EURO 2008 as planned", Mr. Heinz Palme continued.

The official Austrian delegation, composed of Austria’s Federal President, Dr. Heinz Fischer, Federal Chancellor, Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer, President of the Austrian Na-tional Council, Mag. Barbara Prammer, Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik, State Secretary Dr. Reinhold Lopatka, Ambassador Hans Peter Manz, and the EURO-Coordinator, Mr. Heinz Palme, will be present during the opening ceremony.
A number of high-ranking guests from Austria and abroad will attend the first match played by the Austrian team versus Croatia in Vienna.