Ireland choose Gdynia base

Giovanni Trapattoni's side will train at the Municipal Stadium and stay at the Sheraton Sopot Hotel which is close to Gdansk after the manager and his assistant Marco Tardelli have been visiting potential sites in Poland and Ukraine.

The Boys in Green will play two of their Group C matches against Croatia and Italy in Poznan as well as facing world champions Spain in Gdansk and Trapattoni is delighted with the site they have chosen.

"I am very happy that we have been able to secure Gdynia as a base camp for Euro 2012. This base meets and exceeds all of our criteria, having a good training ground, being close to the airport and being based in Poland," said the manager.

"The hotel and training facilities are excellent and provide us with a well-positioned base with all of the facilities required for the championships."

The Football Association of Ireland finally confirmed their plan after evaluating 15 different bases following their play-off victory against Estonia.

An FAI statement read: "The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that it has selected its Euro 2012 base camp in Gdynia, Poland following extensive site visits to Poland and Ukraine as well as a final visit this week involving Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli.

"The team will be located at the Sheraton Sopot Hotel which has a full range of facilities for the players during their stay.

"The Republic of Ireland will train at the Municipal Stadium in Gdynia, a new ground with a capacity of 15,000. The training facilities are of a very high standard and will provide ideal preparation for the team.

"The decision comes after site visits of more than 15 options across Poland and the Ukraine and extensive research carried out over the past three months with UEFA, the Local Organising Committee in Poland and Abbey Travel."