Signal Iduna Park
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Age: 31
Position: Forward
Country: Ecuador
Caps: 67
Goals: 29
Club: Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito
Previous clubs: El Nacional, Bacelona de Guayaquil, Necaxa, Southampton, Aucas
Estimated 'Chelsea-target' value: £1 million. |  |
Friday, 12, May 2006 05:06
Capacity: 67,000
Games Hosted:
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Sweden (Group B)
Germany vs. Poland (Group A)
Togo vs. Switzerland (Group G)
Japan vs. Brazil (Group F)
7th 2nd Round match
1st Semi-Final
Home Club: BVB Borussia Dortmund
Cost: ?45 million, comprehensive reconstruction
Twinned with. Old Trafford, Manchester.
Dortmund guide
History: The Signal Iduna Park (formerly, and more famously, the Westfalenstadion) is the home ground of one of Germany's most prestigious clubs, Borussia Dortmund. It is also one of the most intimidating. Boasting the close atmosphere that only an old school stadium can, it is home to the largest standing terrace left in Europe - the Sudtribuhne. During Bundesliga games the Sudtribuhne, or South Stand, is home to 25,000 braying Dortmund fans, typically dressed in their fluorescent yellow club colours, creating a menacing wall of noise. Unfortunately, fans at the World Cup will not be privy to this as, due to FIFA stipulations, every stadium must be all-seated.
It is the incredible sound and atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park that gives rise to the local nicknames, the "Bundesliga Opera House" and the "BVB Temple". The other reason for these monikers is the sheer size of the arena, with a Bundesliga capacity of over 82,000. The latest expansion of the ground, which involved filling in the corners of the previously square amphitheatre in 2003, added around 15,000 seats to bring it up to its current capacity. The striking 62-metre-high bright yellow support pylons were also added at this time. The work took just three and a half months and was the third renovation of the stadium since it was constructed as part of Germany's previous hosting of the World Cup in 1974.
Liverpool fans will remember the ground well, as it was the scene of what fans referred to as "that amazing European night" before last year's Champions League triumph, the 5-4 victory over Alaves in the UEFA Cup final of 2001.
Dortmund supporters love their refreshments almost as much as their football. As well as being famed for their fanatical support, they are well known for their powers of consumption. During a typical Bundesliga matchday, the crowd gets through an average of 57,000 cups of beer, 12,000 sausages, and 1,500 schnitzels. Although club officials do not anticipate breaking any records of this kind during this summer's tournament, they will no doubt be licking their lips at the prospect of plenty of hungry Germans and Poles turning up to watch their teams in what could be a crunch Game Two in Group A.
Alistair Potter