Easy-Credit Stadium/Frankenstadion
(c) Congress- und Tourismus-Zentrale Nürnberg/Liedel
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Age: 18
Position: Forward
Country: Argentina
Caps: 6
Goals: 1
Club: Barcelona
Former clubs: Gr |  |
Tuesday, 23, May 2006 05:08
Capacity: 37,000
Games Hosted:
Mexico vs. Iran (Group D)
England vs. Trinidad & Tobago (Group B)
Japan vs. Croatia (Group F)
Ghana vs. USA (Group E)
Plus: 4th 2nd Round match
Home Club: FC Nurnberg
Cost: ?56 million, modernisation
Twinned with. Seoul Stadium, Korea (host stadium of the opening match of the last World Cup, also octagonal in shape).
Nuremberg guide
History: The Frankenstadion in Nuremberg has had a long and varied history. Built in 1928, the stadium was hailed as a unique piece of architecture and awarded the gold medal for artistic design when it was first unveiled during a competition run as part of the Ninth Modern Olympiad in Amsterdam. It was originally intended as a multi-purpose arena, with a grass field in the centre and a surrounding athletics track, which it has retained throughout its history. It is one of only three venues for this summer's World Cup that has a running track (the others are Stuttgart and Berlin).
One of the first uses for the Municipal Stadium, as it was then known, was as a parade ground for the Hitler Youth under the German Fascist regime in the 1930s. However, these rather incongruous beginnings were soon eclipsed after the Nazi government collapsed at the end of the Second World War. In 1961, when hometown team FC Nurnberg won its eighth German championship, the city decided to renovate the ground in time for the inaugural season of the Bundesliga the following year. The stadium was reconstructed, retaining its unique octagonal form, and hosts the local side to this day.
The ground became known as the Frankenstadion when it underwent further renovations between 1987 and 1991 and was renamed again in a sponsorship deal with German financiers EasyCredit shortly before a ?56 million technical upgrade was carried out in preparation for the 2006 World Cup. Although it can hold up to 45,000 fans for Bundesliga games, the stadium capacity has had to be reduced by around 8,000 for this summer's international tournament and, as a result, is the smallest of the twelve venues. It will host four group matches, including England v Trinidad and Tobago, a second round game, and also a Rolling Stones concert the day after the World Cup final.
Alistair Potter