HA NOI — The approaching EURO 2012, one of the most prestigious football tournaments of the year, is causing excitement amongst local caricature painters who will take part in the EURO Diary through Paintings contest.

It will be a way to report on the event using pens and computer mice to provide crazy fans with the latest "hot news".

According to organisers, The Thao&Van Hoa (Sport and Culture) newspaper, paintings must follow strict diary criteria and focus on breaking situations, the environment, highlights, affairs and sideline stories.

Priority will be given to works created right after matches on the night before publication.

Participants can send in as many works as possible in sizes ranging from A3 to A4 and in any material after the opening game tomorrow until June 29.

An exhibition featuring the "reports" will be put on display to celebrate the final match on July 2. Paintings predicting players of the match and results that arrive on the organisers' desk before 10am will be selected.

Painter and architect Ly Truc Dung will take charge of the jury board.

Works that advance through the qualifying rounds will be introduced as a column in The Thao&Van Hoa daily and on its website. They will also be exhibited in Trung Nguyen Cafe at 52 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ha Noi, until July 5.

The award ceremony will be organised during the newspaper's 30th anniversary on August 21. The winner will walk away with VND5 million (US$230), alongside other cash and gift prizes.

Painters and people nationwide who are interested in the contest can send their works to the The Thao&Van Hoa newspaper office at 33 Le Thanh Tong Street or call (04) 38267043 and access www.thethaovanhoa.vn for more information. — VNS