Among the football arenas in Spain, one of the most colorful and iconic is the Sevilla stadium "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan", also known as the "Bombonera". This article will discuss its history and features.
History of construction and reconstruction
The land, which now houses the home arena of FC Sevilla, was bought back in 1937 by the president of the football club Ramon Sanchez Pisjuan. However, due to the civil war in Spain, the start of the construction of the stadium was postponed all the time.
In 1954, announced a competition of projects for the construction of a new football arena. Its winner was the architect who participated in the creation of the legendary Madrid stadium Santiago Bernabeu.
The construction of the Seville stadium began in late 1956. In the future, he was supposed to replace the outdated and low-capacity Arena De Nervillon, which was not suitable for international matches, including the Champions Cup matches and the Spanish national team.
Unfortunately, Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan did not see his dream - he died a month before the start of construction. It was in his honor that the new leadership of FC Seville decided to name the new stadium.
The first official match between the local club and the Real Jaen team in the new arena was held in September 1958. Due to changes in the project budget, the final capacity of the stadium was not planned 70 thousand spectators, but only 53. At that time, there was only the first level of the stands, and the upper tiers appeared as a result of the reconstruction of 1974. Then the number of seats reached 70 thousand.
Due to the fact that the Seville stadium was chosen as the venue for the 1982 World Cup games, another reconstruction was carried out here. After it, the capacity was reduced to 66 thousand seats. A roof appeared over the main rostrum, which fit perfectly into the architecture of Ramón Sanchez Pizjuan. On the retaining wall, the famous artist del Campo created a magnificent composition, in the center of which is the emblem of the local club “Seville”, and around it are the logos of other teams who played here.
In the 90s, the capacity of the stadium was significantly reduced due to the old design, and several years ago the arena was closed for reconstruction. FC Sevilla is currently holding fights at the Olympic stadium.
Stadium features
The main stadium of Seville, “Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan”, is perhaps one of the most frightening and impressive football arenas in the European continent. Spectacular spots, painted in blue and red, create a strong contrast with the green lawn and the blue sky of Andalusia. This stadium is loved by both fans and the players themselves.
“Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan” is considered “lucky” for the Spanish team. On this arena, “Red Fury” held 22 matches and never lost. For Sevilla, the stadium was also successful - in international matches under the auspices of UEFA, the team, since the 1960s, lost only twice.
Memorable events at the stadium "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan"
During the World Cup 82 at the stadium in Seville, two matches were played. At the stage of the group stage, the teams of Brazil and the USSR met here, where the South Americans won with a score of 2: 1.
The next match went down in the history of world championships as one of the brightest fights. In the semifinals, the teams of Germany and France met. Most of the time ended with a score of 3: 3, and in the penalty shootout the Germans celebrated the victory.
In 1986, the Champions Cup final was held here, in which Barcelona and Steaua met. Thanks to the stunning game of goalkeeper Dukadam in regular time and a series of penalty shootouts (he beat all four), the Romanian club for the first time in its history won the most prestigious club European trophy.
Unfortunately, the history of the Seville stadium was not without tragic dates. It was on “Ramon Sanchez Pisjuan” in August 2007 during a game with Real Madrid that the 23-year-old player of the Andalusian club Antonio Puert became ill. Doctors fought for his life for three days, but the heart of a talented midfielder stopped forever.
Big plans for the future
In August 2017, reporters were shown the updated Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. At the first stage of reconstruction, the audience was repaired.
But that is far from all. The management of the team plans to change the lighting and the scoreboard, reconstruct the under-stands, open a club museum and a children's room.
The facade of the football arena will also be updated. It will feature the legends of the Andalusian team, including Antonio Puerta. Only one thing remains unchanged - the name "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan".