Euro 2012 drew to a close on July 1, when Spain defended their title against Italy, with the final ending soccer's first major foray behind the former Iron Curtain that has given a welcome image boost to the co-hosts. Even before the first match of the 16-team tournament kicked off in Warsaw on June 8, there had been widespread concerns about the wisdom of handing European football's showpiece tournament to Poland and the Ukraine.
Euro 2012
Global Times: Ukraine, Poland hail Euro 2012 boost
Fireworks explode above Olympiyskiy Stadium after Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, early Monday, July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrey Lukatsky)
