The PGE Arena Gdansk, Poland, home to Polish side Lechia Gdansk, was previously named the Baltic Arena. UEFA has assigned its capacity to 40,000 spectators. Construction of the stadium started on 2 April, 2008 and was wrapped up by 19 July, 2011. Napolean once said that Gdansk is the "key to everything". It might well be so come Euro 2012 when teams clash in the maritime city of Gdansk known as Danzig until 1945.
The turf of the Gdansk stadium was specially prepared keeping in mind the weather conditions including wind, high humidity and salt in the air. The stadium is amber-coloured as Gdansk is commonly referred to as the World Capital of Amber.
Three crucial encounters of Group C, all featuring Spain, are to be played at the stadium in addition to one of the quarter-finals. Spain who have Italy, Ireland and Croatia as their group rivals, would be looking to turn this ground into their lucky charm.
So far only one international match (friendly) has been played at the PGE Arena- a fixture between Poland National football side and the German National football team. The game was earlier scheduled for the National stadium in Poland but since that was not ready in time for the event, Gdansk was the fortunate one to hold the friendly.
Former AJ Auxerre striker Andrzej Szarmach is Gdansk's most famous footballing son, scorer of 32 goals in 61 internationals during Poland's 1970s golden age. His five goals at the 1974 FIFA World Cup helped Poland finish third. He then also played an important part when they won the Olympic silver two years later.
Province: Pomerania
Population: 456,000
Area: 262km²
Altitude: 13m above sea level
Motto: Neither rashly nor timidly
UEFA Capacity: 40,000
Tenants: Lechia Gdansk
Opened: July 2011
• The famous shipyards and the airport engulf the venue which is located in Gdansk's Letnica neighbourhood.
• As a multi-faceted structure it also includes a hotel and a roller skating circuit. It took two and a half years to construct the arena.
• The stadium replaced the 12,000-capacity home of Lechia. They have been playing here since early 2011/12.
