|
Football stadiums |
 |
 |
|
The first football stadiums were created in the mid-nineteenth century. They were just simple playgrounds for the players. The spectators were standing out of the side line and cheering their teams. In September 1888 the English league was established. Several thousands of people started to come to the matches. Referees started to use whistles and they entered the pitch instead of running outside along the side line. The goals got equipped with the net so the fans didn’t have to kick the ball back on the playground after each goal. Football started to become a mass sport. The emergence of football facilities, first of all with STADIUMS became a reality.
The twenty-first century is quite different. The players look different and so do the fans and the stadiums. Several thousands of people can sit on the stands of the biggest stadiums. Stadiums are often used for rock and pop music concerts. Stadiums are now large sports complexes, often with cafes, shops for fans, conference rooms and hotels. Each stadium has its own history and atmosphere, its own unforgettable matches and heroes.
On the Brazilian Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro or Marubi in Sao Paulo the matches are like mini carnivals and football fiestas. The English Old Trafford in Manchester is “a theatre of dreams”. The German Westfalenstadion (Signal Iduna) in Dortmund is “a German football opera,” while the monumental Olympiastadion in Berlin, strict and cold is simply German-like. The Spanish Camp Nou in Barcelona and Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid is like fine corrida. The Italian San Siro in Milan or Stadio Olimpico in Rome are the southern elements. And – last but not the least - the non-crowned king – Wembley in London - now a completely new and super modern football stadium - in the capital of the country where football began. That is ten largest and most famous stadiums of the world.
|
|
|
|
Maracana Stadium (1950) Rio de Janeiro / Brazil, the capacity of 95 thousand viewers (clubs: CR Flamengo / Flumineuse FC / CR Vasco de Gama). National Stadium of Brazil. First in use in the World Cup in 1950. The story of its origins is as follows: in these first post-war championships Brazil was to win the World Cup in football. After the matches in the final group there were only two teams in play - Brazil and Uruguay. For Brazil draw was sufficient to win the title (classical final match was not played then as it is today). Brazil scored in the 47th minute, and the yelling at the Maracana stadium was probably heard in Europe. Twenty minutes later Uruguay cool down the audience, it’s 1:1 but the championship ... still for ... Brazil. Less than ten minutes before the end of the match Uruguay scores one more, it is 1:2. At Maracana with nearly 200 thousand spectators a deadly silence drops down... The champion is ... a team of Uruguay. And this is how it all began at Maracana. The stadium was modernized in 1965, and thoroughly rebuilt in 2006. In 2014 Brazil will be organizer of the World Cup and the final match – surely at Maracana.
|
Estadio do Marubi (1960) Sao Paulo / Brazil, the capacity of 80 thousand viewers (Club: Sao Paulo FC). The stadium was modernized in 1970, completely rebuilt in 1994-2000. Since Sao Paulo is the largest urban conurbation in South America (19 million), here in this stadium the biggest rock stars have their concerts.
|
Old Trafford (1911) Manchester / England, the capacity of 76 thousand viewers (club: Manchester United). During the war destroyed, rebuilt in 1940s. For a number of times it was modernized in 1990s. Rebuilt in 2000 and 2006. Matches at this stadium is a unique story both of English football and Manchester United. In 2003 at this stadium two Italian teams were fighting in the final of the UEFA Champions League. AC Milan won (after penalties). 63 thousand people watched the match in the stadium and tens of millions on television.
|
|
|
|
Signal Iduna Park (1974) Dortmund / Germany, the capacity - 81 thousand viewers (club: Borussia Dortmund). The stadium was built for the Word Cup 1974, group matches were played here. The stadium was called Westfalenstadium then (the current name from 2005 to 2011). Here there is the largest “standing stand” in Europe (24 thousand places, rebuilding continued until 2006). The stadium opened in the memorable 1974 when Germany won the championship title. The captain of their team was Franz Beckenbauer (at present – President of Bayern Munich). The Polish team took the third place. King of shooters was Grzegorz Lato (at present - President of Polish Football Association). The Poles lost only one game in those championships (against Germany), and defeated Italy, Argentina, Brazil. We guarantee it to the young readers - in 1974 it was really like that - these are no jokes or any science fiction. Unfortunately, this was a long time ago ...
In the World Cup 2006 in this stadium Germany conquered Poland 1:0 (in additional time) to lose out in the later semi-final with Italy (after extra time).
|
Olympiastadion (1916) Berlin / Germany, the capacity of 75 thousand viewers (Club: Hertha BSC Berlin). Built for the Olympic Games in 1916, which eventually did not take place. Another modern design and construction of the stadium is linked to the Olympic Games in 1936. The stadium project and building was specially monitored by the Nazi. It was supposed to be a “monument for the athletes”. After the war the stadium was in the British zone of Berlin and served as the main headquarters of British occupation forces. Restored for the world championships in football in 1974. 3 matches of the championships were played here. At the next football championships in 2006, 6 matches were played here and the finale in which Italy conquered France (after penalty kicks).
|
Camp Nou (1957) Barcelona / Spain, the capacity of 99 thousand viewers (club: FC Barcelona). In the opening match in September 1957 Barca played with ... Legia Warsaw. Here in the final of the Olympic Games in 1992, Poland lost to Spain (junior teams, 2:3). FC Barcelona is a leading team in Europe. Their matches are unforgettable. Champions League finals are also played at Camp Nou. The winners at this stadium were: AC Milan in 1989 (97 thousand spectators), Manchester United in 1999 (90 thousand spectators). In 1982 World Cup matches were played here. At Camp Nou the Poles lost the fight for the final (!!!) in the match with Italy (0:2).
|
|
|
|
|
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (1947) Madrid / Spain, the capacity - 80 thousand viewers (club: Real Madrid). The stadium was built in 3 years thanks to the efforts of Santiago Bernabeu - President of Real Madrid at that time. Since he was 17, Bernabeu had been associated with the Real - as a football player first, then the secretary and president (until the end of his life; he died in 1978). The stadium was given his name. The first modification was made in 1950s (the stadium could accommodate 120 thousand viewers). Another reconstruction prepared the stadium for the World Cup 1982. In this championship the Polish team won the 3rd place (3:2 with France). The winner was Italy (3:1 with the Federal Republic of Germany). The Real Madrid team won in the European Cup 5 times in a row - in 1957 they played here, on their own stadium (in the years 1956-1960 they were definite champions, the final match in 1957 was watched by 124 thousand fans). At Estadio Bernabeu the European Cup was won by AC Milan in 1969 and by Notting Forest in 1980 (since 1992 this is the final of Champions League, eg. a festival for football fans). The recent modifications of the stadium (in 2007) were made to complete the construction of the roof over the last open stand.
|
|
|
|
|
San Siro (1926) Milan / Italy, capacity - 85 thousand viewers (club: AC Milan, Inter Milan). The stadium was built in one of Milan’s districts - San Siro (hence its name) in a time when Italy was ruled by the fascists with Benito Mussolini. In addition to football matches, it served as an arena for meetings and rallies of Italian militant groups. Mussolini was captured and shot by partisans at the end of the war in 1945. His body was hanged head down on the gas station in Milan. Such war stories were seen around San Siro. During the 1950s the stadium was expanded and modernized, it could accommodate up to 150 thousand viewers. However, the years of gigantic stadiums have passed. After the tragedy at the Heysel Stadium (1985) they began to rebuild the stadiums to make them smaller. San Siro was also reduced to 90 thousand viewers (then to 85 thousand in 2003). At the world championships in 1990 group matches and the quarter-final were played here. At San Siro Champions League finals were also played. Inter Milan won the title in 1965, Feyenoord Rotterdam in 1970 and Bayern Munich in 2001.
|
|
|
|
|
Stadio Olimpico (1937) Rome / Italy, capacity - 82 thousand viewers (clubs: SS Lazio, AS Roma). Two years after the construction of the huge San Siro in Milan, the authorities ordered to build the “cypresses stadium” in Rome. As in Milan, in addition to football matches there were held party rallies and assemblies here. After the war, in the 1950s the stadium was expanded and renamed the Olympic one. In 1960 it became the arena for the Olympic Games in Rome. It is here where during the last Olympic competition – the marathon - the famous Abebe Bikila ran barefoot in the stadium and made his finish. He won gold. In the next Olympics he also won the Olympic gold medal in the marathon and became an icon of African sport of those days. In the years 1989-90 the stadium was thoroughly reconstructed for the World Cup in football (World Cup 1990). There were group matches, quarter finals and the big finale, in which West Germany defeated Argentina (1:0 with the penalty in five minutes before the end; this time Maradona did not have the chance to score with his hand and his team lost). Champions League finals were also played at the Olimpico. Liverpool won the title in 1977 (“only” 52 thousand fans came to see the English team which in the Italian conditions is merely a 2 / 3 of “normality”), in 1984 Liverpool won again (after penalties with ... AS Roma, who lost the championship in their own stadium!!!), Juventus Turin in 1996, FC Barcelona in 2009 (Spain beat the English - Manchester United - 2:0). Stadio Olimpico is the national stadium of Italy.
|
|
|
|
|
Wembley (new 2007) London / England, the capacity of 90 thousand viewers. The national stadium of England. Built in the place of the old stadium (from 1923) which was pulled down in 2003. Describing the new stadium it is hard to forget the symbolic name of “old Wembley”... a little tear in the eye at the memory of the Polish triumph over England in 1973 - 100 thousand spectators in the stadium and probably all Poland before the TV screens ... and the world championship elimination match ... the victory... and the euphoria... and it was such a long time ago that no one probably remembers it now (but maybe not !???). There is nothing left from that stadium. The new one built for huge money (1.5 billion $) is the world’s most modern stadium. Every year English Cup finals and English League Cup matches are held here. Needless to say - Wembley is Wembley, and everyone knows what’s going on.
Those ones who were on the stands of these objects during a match had a great show, and those who were not – are free to go there ... or wait for our Baltic Arena in Gdansk, which also probably will have its own history and atmosphere – a Polish one, this time...
|
|
|
|
|
The current history of football stadiums obviously does not end with these ten ones. It takes this opportunity to tell something about the other existing “80 – thousands”, about the stadiums built in the recent years in various parts of the world and about American football stadiums (not to be confused with the football where it is called soccer). This last topic is very interesting. In the U.S. there are 24 stadiums with seats for more than 80 thousand spectators and although they are intended for American football, European football (soccer) can also be played there (the U.S. is heading for 12 in FIFA football rankings while Poland is 41st.) Four stadiums in the U.S. can accommodate more than 100 thousand viewers. 18 of these stadiums already existed ... before World War II and all of them were refurbished in the nineties and after 2000. In the field of huge sports facilities America would surely win the match against the whole Europe.
Australia is the next continent with gigantic stadiums. (ANZ) Stadium Australia, built in Sydney in 1999 for the Summer Olympic Games in 2000, is able to accommodate 110 thousand viewers. Generally, the number of 83 thousand is usually given. Another Australian stadium is Melbourne Cricket Ground. There was a stadium in Melbourne as early as in 1854, the present one was built in 2006 for 100 thousand viewers. On these stadiums two national sports of Australia are played: cricket and Australian football (which has little to do with European football).
In the last World Cup (2006) the Australian team came out of the group, and in the 1 / 8 finals lost 1:0 (in the 90. minute by penalty!) to Italy (the eventual Champion). In FIFA rankings Australia is in the 16th place.
Other worth presenting stadiums are those built already in the 21st century, e.g.: |
|
Allianz Arena (2005) - Munich / Germany, the capacity of 70 thousand viewers (club: FC Bayern Munich). In the World Cup in 2006 six matches were played here (including Semi-final). The number of spectators at the stands of this new stadium is not a coincidence. Seating capacity was estimated for 69 901, which is exactly the same as the average number of spectators in season 2005/06. (To compare it with Poland – in 2006 a brand new stadium was opened in Kielce, the Kielce Stadium with a capacity of 15 thousand spectators. This figure is not accidental either – usually there aren’t more fans on the stands in the matches of Polish extra league, so bigger stadiums are not needed.) Allianz Arena alongside Wembley is currently the most modern stadium in the world. Other German stadiums are usually of 40/50 thousand capacity. |
|
Emirates Stadium (2006) - London / England, the capacity of 60 thousand. viewers (club: Arsenal FC). The name of the stadium was bought by the Arabian (UAE) airline, Emirates Airline, (but the fans keep calling the stadium Ashburton Grove). What’s interesting, the UEFA authorities also use the same name as the fans for a simple reason - any airlines are not an official sponsor of the League of Champions in Europe. The official name of the stadium will last for 15 years at the cost of € 100 million for Emirates Airline. It is no money per month for the Arab investors, but it must be stated clearly that such transactions are possible only in London, and only in the Premiership. Arsenal FC won the champion title three times in the Premiership. |
|
Croke Park (1913/the new one 2004) - Dublin / Ireland, the capacity of 82 thousand viewers (org. GAA). Gaelic Football i.e. a cross of football and rugby and hurling where the ball is hit with a bat - are the national sports of Ireland. At this stadium they are predominant. Rugby matches (including international ones) are also frequently played here. Football is associated with England, and it is not soon when football will be played at this Irish stadium where the Irish tradition and the Irish “historical memory” is promoted. Nine huge pop concert have taken place here since 2004 (with U2, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Police and others). |
|
Ataturk Olympiat Stadium (2001) - Istanbul / Turkey, the capacity 76 thousand viewers (clubs: Istanbul Buyu Ksehir Belediyespor, Kasimpasa SK). In 2005, in the final of Champions League (UEFA) Liverpool defeated AC Milan here (3:3 in the regular time, in the penalty shoot-out 3:2), but what a match it was! ... Before the break Milan was winning 3:0! In the second half the Liverpool team scored 3 goals in seven minutes and in penalty kicks they were better for one hit .... Such games create the history of football and the stadiums. |
|
Guangdong Olympic Stadium (2001) - Guangzhou / China, the capacity of 80 thousand viewers. In 2001, “the Chinese Olympic Games” were held in Guangzhou - The National Games of the People’s Republic of China, that’s why such an impressive stadium was built here. Club football teams do not play on it. Guangdong Province (95 million people) is one of the richest in China, and the city of Guangzhou is the third Chinese metropolis (9 million inhabitants). Manchester United and Chelsea FC played here during their Asian tour. In 2010 the Asian Olympic Games will be held in Guangdong (42 sports). |
|
Beijing National Stadium (2008) - Beijing / China, the capacity of 80 thousand viewers. The stadium was built for the Summer Olympic Games in 2008. After the Olympics it stands empty. In 2009 two events will be held here - an opera spectacle and the Italian Super Cup match (before the start of the Italian league season), Supercoppa Italiana. For the time being, it has been announced that the stadium is to be transformed into a shopping and entertainment complex over the next 3 years. The maintenance cost of the stadium is $ 9 million per year (or 2.25 million Polish zloty per month). In order to help in the financial situation of the stadium racing car masters’ races (Race of Champions) are organized here (after covering the grass). Such races have already been held on the Wembley stadium in London and the Stade de France in Paris. |
|
Estadio Monumental de la U (2000) - Lima / Peru, capacity 80 thousand viewers (club: Club Universitario de Deportes). As Peru is in South America - football is a “sacred” thing here. When it comes to the world football, unfortunately, from this continent only 4-5 teams can get to the World Cup (including Brazil and Argentina regularly), so there is no space for Peru. Peru football team has a lot in common with the representation of Poland. The days of splendour passed 30 years ago (like for the Polish team) when in 1982 the Peruvians played in the championships in Spain (Poland took the 3rd place there). They also took part in the World Cup in 1978, and in 1970 in Mexico City they lost only in the ¼ finals with Brazil (the final Champion). |
|
Borg El Arab Stadium (2007) - near Alexandria / Egypt, the capacity of 80 thousand. Borg El Arab is the name of the airport close to which the stadium was built (hoping to host the World Cup 2010). Eventually the championships in 2010 will be held 7,200 km from here (in Cape Town among others). The stadium in the desert was designed and built by the Corps of Engineers of the Egyptian Armed Forces. An important thing is that not more than 20 thousand fans come usually to watch the matches in the Egyptian league. There aren’t any clubs willing to use the stadium either. These facts should absolve all nations of the world from the guilt of making unnecessary investments. |
|
Stade de France (1998) - Paris / France, the capacity of 80 thousand. The National Stadium of France. Built for the World Cup in 1998. At this stadium the French team defeated Brazil and France became the world champion. The name of the stadium was the idea of Michel Platini (current president of UEFA, the head of the championships organizing committee then). The stadium cost € 285 million (it was built for 3 years). On every day basis the stadium stands empty because there in no club team which would like to use it. In 2003 the world athletics championships were held here. In 2000 (champion Real Madrid) and 2006 (champion FC Barcelona) the finals of the Champions League (UEFA) were played here. Since its opening till today about 20 mega pop concerts have taken place at the stadium (AC / DC, U2, Rolling Stones, The Police, Madonna, Depeche Mode). The matches of rugby cups are also played here. Other stadiums in France are usually of 30-40 thousand capacity. |
|
Another notable group constitute unknown in Europe, yet belonging to the club of the largest (over 80 thousand viewers) stadiums in the world: |
|
Rungrado May Day Stadium (1990) - Pyongyang / North Korea, the capacity of 150 thousand viewers. There is no greater arena. There are few countries in the world that are making “its own vision of democracy and civic freedoms”. Among them is North Korea. The stadium was built primarily for parades and demonstrations on the occasion of national holidays and celebrations. The stadium was built in 2.5 years on the island Rangra and put into service on 1 May 1989 (hence its name). North Korea’s football team has qualified for the 2010 Word Cup in South Africa. The message of the promotion was widespread in Korea a few days after the success. The authorities were probably wondering what to do with that fact. Now they are thinking deeply whether the players should go to South Africa, but if they go, they will definitely fight to the death to get to the next stage - because this is exactly the way North Korea is. |
|
Salt Lake Stadium (1984) - Calcutta / India, capacity 120 thousand viewers (clubs: AC Mohun Bagan, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club). India’s National Stadium. India joined FIFA in 1948 and as soon as in 1950 the representation of the country could play in the Word Cup finals. Soccer authorities, however, decided not to send the players to Brazil after FIFA had requested that all players should wear sports shoes (some Indian players wanted to play barefoot). To this day, a second chance in the final game has not occurred. The stadium is being used by three oldest Indian football clubs. |
|
Estadio Azteca (1966) - Mexico / Mexico City, capacity 105 thousand viewers (clubs: Club America, FC Socio Aguila). The National Stadium of Mexico. It was built for the summer Olympic Games 1968. The final matches of the Word Cup 1970 and 1986 were also played here. In 1970 Brazil was the champion, and in 1986 Argentina defeated Germany. (It was in these championships in 1986 when Argentina defeated England in quarterfinal and Maradona scored the goal with the hand, and the judge held the goal. Englishmen still remember this event - Mano de Dios / Hand of God are the well known catch-phrases from that match.)
In Mexico, soccer is the national sport, and football matches are treated as seriously as religion. In the last four World Cups the Mexican team had no problems with succeeding in the group stage - however, in the 1 / 8 finals (World Cups 1994-2006) it was losing after fierce and levelled matches. |
|
Bukit Jalil (1998) - Kuala Lumpur / Malaysia, the capacity of 100 thousand viewers. The National Stadium of Malaysia. It was built for the Commonwealth Games in 1998. In 2007, the matches of AFC Asian Cup were played here. In Kuala Lumpur is the headquarters of the Asian Football Federation (AFC). |
|
Azadi Stadium (1971/the new one - 2003) - Tehran / Iran, capacity 90 thousand people (clubs: FC Persepolis, Esteghlal FC). Iran’s National Stadium. At the stadium there is one of the largest screens in the world (telebim) - 20m x 7.5 m. Azadi means freedom in Persian. |
|
Bung Karno Stadium (1962/the new one - 2007) - Jakarta / Indonesia, capacity - 88 thousand viewers. At this stadium in the final (2007) Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia and became the champion of Asia. |
|
Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha (1987) - Guayaquil / Ecuador, capacity 83 thousand. (club: Barcelona Sporting Club). In Ecuador, as throughout South America, football is the national sport. In the last World Cup (2006) Ecuador beat Poland and came out of the group. In the 1 / 8 finals it lost with England 1:0. |
|
Shah Alam Stadium (1994) – Shah Alam / Malaysia, the capacity of 81 thousand viewers (club: Selangor FA). Just 24 km away from here (in Kuala Lumpur) four years later the stadium for up to 100 thousand viewers was built. In Malaysia it is possible ( the population is less than in Poland by about 1 / 3). |
|
Shanghai Stadium (1997) – Szaghaj / China, the capacity of 80 thousand. The stadium was built for the Chinese Games - the National Games of the People’s Rebublic of China, in 1997. It was also used for the summer Olympic Games in 2008. |
|
Stade des Martyrs (1994/modernized in 2008) - Kinshasa / Democratic Republic of the Congo, the capacity of 80 thousand. (clubs: AS Vita Club, DC Motema Pembe). The National Stadium of DR Congo. The country has no tradition of football. In the Word Cup in 1974 (as Zaire) it lost all the matches to nil and did not get out of the group. It was the only “international Cup adventure” of the country’s football. |
|
