Poland gets four more Friends of EURO

Television boss Iwona Schymalla, actor and director Olaf Lubaszenko, musician Krzysztof Skiba and former Polish Football Federation (PZPN) board member Stanisław Bobkiewicz are the latest Friends of UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland.

The quartet announced their commitment to the tournament on morning television show Kawa czy Herbata (Tea or Coffee), with Schymalla saying: "This award gives me even more reason to give the tournament as much publicity as possible. UEFA EURO 2012 is the biggest event of next year for Polish Television [TVP]."

Actor Lubaszenko added: "For me it's a nice sign of appreciation for the many years I have supported the Polish national team and Polish football in general. I am the kind of fan who has supported the team through good and bad."

"I have always had my fingers crossed for the national team," said songwriter and satirist Skiba. "The tournament means an economic boost for Poland."
 
"I was involved in the UEFA EURO 2012 bidding process from 2003," said Bobkiewicz. "I worked alongside Polish tournament director Adam Olkowicz to prepare all the necessary documentation. No one believed Poland and Ukraine could stage the tournament but we were serious and always confident we would be successful."

Tuesday's ceremony was attended by Poland coach Franciszek Smuda and striker Robert Lewandowski, who also plays for German champions Borussia Dortmund. Smuda told the audience: "We need everyone's support. I hope that we are getting better as in our last nine friendlies we have lost only once." Poland beat Argentina 2-1 in Warsaw in their latest outing on Sunday.

Up to 100 people in Poland will be officially named as Friends of UEFA EURO 2012 – half of them public figures selected by the local organising committee (LOC), with the remaining spots destined for the general public via competitions open to all ages. Tournament co-hosts Ukraine will also nominate 100 Friends of EURO.