We’ve heard all about the potential problems, we all saw Panorama’s Stadiums of Hate, and, let’s face it; nobody’s really talked about these Euros in any sense of “grand spectacle”. Little has been made of the host nation’s stadiums themselves – perhaps the talk of racism inside them has sullied the usual excitement? But, as we await tonight’s kick off in Poland, we’ll be treated to a view of one of two exceptional grounds that will bookend the competition. Both having been recently revamped by the same German designers, gmp Architects – the same mega-firm behind three of South Africa’s stunning World Cup grounds.

Poland’s National Stadium in Warsaw, with its red and white façade, plays host to tonight’s opener between Poland and Greece, whilst the curious molehill rooftop of Kiev’s Olympic Stadium will watch over the final in just under a month. Here’s hoping all will be cheery and jovial inside said grounds, they certainly deserve it, and here’s hoping England will be playing in Ukraine on July 1st. And let’s hope that peculiar winged pig outside flies back off where it came from.

National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland
View at the playing field
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Exterior view
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Interior with view at the playing field
Author: Marcus Bredt

National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland
Exterior view with staircase
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Night view
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Interior view
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Tiers
Author: Marcus Bredt

National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland
Based beside the Vistula
Author: Marcus Bredt

National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland
Membrane with the national colors
Interior view: roof with tiers
Author: Marcus Bredt

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
Exterior view of the structure
Author: Marcus Bredt