Do you know that? The Greatest Soccer Stadiums of The World
The football (soccer) has many faces. No doubt, it is world sport-branch number one, so, it would not be omitted in our descriptions of world particularities. Despite the fact that football could be played practically anywhere. There exist some places, even holy places, where the play could be changed into supernatural play. So, let´s visit, in today´s chapter, two from greatest world football stadiums. These are: Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, better known as Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) and Wembley Stadium in London (Great Britain). This is the biggest „football sanctuary“ with encircled cover-roof.
A soccer (football) in Brasilian presentation, this is some creativity symbol, football flash, impertinence and elegance. Nevertheless, such style experienced rather small retreat, making comparison with European style, which could be rather more hard and reasonable at the same time. Anyway, at the end of the art of „canaries“, hardly anything could be compared with.
On the other hand, so called Golden era of Brasil football is much more older. It is dated to years ,when „The Magician“ Pele run out to the grass of Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. This imposant stadium was open for public in June 1950, at the occasion of Soccer World Championship. At that time, the final match of team of local „sweethearts“ in green-blue dresses against Uruguay team, was followed by unreal number of 200 000 spectators! Actual stadium capacity is reserved for approx. 95 - 130 000 soccer fans, which corresponding to international FIFA safety regulations. So, such unreal number could be hardly surmountable spectators´ record. Nevertheless, this stadium became a witness of many football fights, not only of local teams.
One moment belongs to the top stadium fame, when, in 1969, Pele gave his 1000th goal. On the other hand, the biggest grief came during memorable final match with Uruguay, when the domestics lost their play 1:2. After final whistle, only crying, shouting and whistling could be heard from galleries, as a Brasilian dream was terminated with most cruel way. A small statue of Nike-Goddess was in possession of rivals, and Brasil declared state sorrow day. Two fans even made self-murder and two died as a consequence of heart attack.
This stadium became a national symbol, on the same level as national red-hot samba-dance, carnival and all things, joined with football. At present, Maracana is known, first of all, as a place of furious fights (matches) among local teams Flamengo and Filuminense, where numerous football stars of world fame were educated.
Since 1970, this stadium became also cultural stand. The galleries were completely sold out, on the occasion of concert performances of famous musical formations, such as: Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, Kiss, Guns N´Roses, Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, and many others. Even Saint Father, Pope John Paul II., preached there.
At present, the stadium undergones vast reconstruction works, as this monument will become main scene of Football Championship in 2014, organized just by Brasil. We note, for football fans, that the dimensions of playing area make 110 x 75 metres (the dimension of most Czech 1st division clubs have the dimensions of 105 x 68 metres).
New Wembley
Wembley Stadium in London is the second remarkable locality. Its new face was finished relatively recently - in March 2009. Anyway, the original famous stadium was in operation for more than 80 years!
It is true that, since 1923, there were effected there many famous matches, as well as concerts, dominating with impressive show Live at Wembley by Queen Group. They had the performance on 12th July 1986, within scope of their last rotation. By the way, in 1996, the Czech football team got there silver medails, after memorable match with Germany.
The original construction of Wembley Stadium was demolished in 2002. The project of new stadium, according to drawings and plans of world-famous architect Norman Foster, would cost astronomical amount of GBP 790 millions (approx. CZK 24 billions). So, such amount presents the most expensive stadium of the world, with a capacity of at least 90000 fans. This construction, destinated, first of all, for matches of British Soccer and Rugby representation teams, would be originally finished just till 2006, however, this term was not real. So, the stadium was open for public one year later, on the occasion of young (under 21 years of age) teams of England and Italy. The construction idea is unique in a fact that the distance from the auditorium towards playing ground is not bigger than 120 metres. You can find there, for instance, 2618 WC cabins. Nevertheless, most important matters are to be found upstairs, on the roof, whch is, thanks to its unique construction, visible from great distance. The original symbol of two towers was changed with powerful arch, the length of which makes 315 metres. In its higher point, the arch is vaulting 133 metres above playing ground. This fact caused the registration in Guiness Book of Records, as the highest one-vaulted roof of the world. Nevertheless, this design element is not self-reasonable. Its main function is consisted in its closing possibilities, whereas total pulling (overing) takes approx. 15 minutes only. So, such jewel from architect Norman Foster workshop, has another unique moment, it is its lengthening variant. In case of sunny weather, the roof is shifted into such position, in order not to create a shadow above playground, so that the players´ identification could be disturbed. Similarly, as Maracana in Brasil, also Wembley in London is a scene of numerous concerts of world-musical groups, as well as the happenings of charitative character, athletic or motor-car races or another actions for public events.
New Wembley is not only the biggest stadium of football Europe. This primacy is still kept by Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. To tell the truth, this stadium has, making comparison with Wembley, less comfortable, despute the fact that local atmosphere is really the top there. No doubt, Wembley is most modern stadium of such type of the world. London will be a scene of Summer Olympic Games in 2012. Just New Wembley would become, together with its sister multi-purpose Millenium Dome, main stage of these sporting fights.
Text: Jan Chaloupka
Translation. ing. Jan Jonáš
Photo: wikipedia commons, Chris Downer , Rodrigo Silveira Camargo , Ian Wilson, Arthur Boppré
Discussion at the article (0) |
Related Articles
Do You Know, That? Fastest Trains Of The World
Do You Know, That? - The Greatest Golden Mines Of The World
Do you know that? The Biggest Vessel Of The World
Do you know that? Most Expensive Everyday Enjoyments
Do you know that? The Biggest Circus Of The World
Guide:
Important Information:
Information and warnings on travelling abroad is to be found HERE.