Danes to watch Euro 2012 from sofa

Ukraine’s image as an expensive and dangerous country is being blamed for the low ticket sales for Denmark’s group games at this year’s European football championships

Only ten percent of the 10,000 tickets available for Danish supporters have been sold for DenmarkÂ’s group matches at the European championship football tournament (Euro 2012) this summer in Poland and the Ukraine.

“I donÂ’t think weÂ’re going to sell all the tickets, but I donÂ’t know whether there will be 500, 1,500 or more left over,” Bo Grøn Iversen, the head of accounting for the Danish football association, DBU,  told Politiken newspaper.

The low interest in tickets has led DBU to hold an emergency meeting to discuss how to increase interest in the competition, which is usually very well attended by Danish supporters.

Denmark will be playing their three group games in the Ukranian cities of Lviv and Kharkiv, almost 900 kilometres apart, and according to Politiken, UkraineÂ’s image of being expensive and dangerous is to blame for the lack of interest.

“We have seen some outrageous prices,” Iversen said. “Some people think they can become millionaires in a week if they have a couple of spare beds available.”

The Copenhagen Post discovered that at one hostel in Lviv, the Nikolas, a double room that usually goes for 275 kroner a night in the summer was going for 2,000 kroner a night on a match night on July 13.

The dire scenario has led DBU and the Danish embassy in Ukraine to join forces to produce a brochure about the country to inform potential travelers of Ukraine’s more positive sides and what they should expect to pay for various services.

But, if threats made by racist hooligans are to be trusted, Danes who do decide to make the trip may need to be alert – especially if they are not white.

Speaking to British tabloid The Sun this December, one hooligan said: “We believe black and Asian people should stay in their own countries. We don’t want them here for Euro 2012.”

Police presence at the competition is expected to be high, however, minimizing the risk of conflict between rival supporters.

Fans who are interested in attending the competition this summer are urged to book their accommodation through the website http://www.accom2012.com/.




  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.