Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv
The Oblast Sports Complex 'Metalist' commonly known as Metalist Stadium has a UEFA assigned capacity of around 35,000 spectators. The stadium, situated in Kharkiv, Ukraine, is home to FC Metalist Kharkiv.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: May 21, 2012 06:01 PM IST
The Oblast Sports Complex 'Metalist' commonly known as Metalist Stadium has a UEFA assigned capacity of around 35,000 spectators. The stadium, situated in Kharkiv, Ukraine, is home to FC Metalist Kharkiv.
Including renovations done for Euro 2012, the stadium has been through four improvements in its history. It all began in the 1960's when the western section of the stadium was renovated. The latest set of renovations have been in the build up to Euro 2012. The South stand was completed and the East stand was completely transformed into its present state. By the end of 2009 the venue was also beautified and modernised keeping in mind the changing times.
As one of the venues for Euro 2012, three Group B matches are to be played here. Netherlands take on Germany, Denmark and Portugal in three crucial as well as potentially exciting encounters at the Metalist.
The stadium was renamed Zenit (Zenith) in 1940, Dzerzhynets (in honour of the Bolshevik secret police's first director) in 1947 and then Avangard (Vanguard) between 1956 and 1976 before settling down to its current title. The latest renovations featured a new pitch, undersoil heating and LED scoreboards. Approximately €60m was spent on it by the authorities and Metalist owner Olexander Yaroslavskiy.
Province: Kharkiv Oblast
Population: 1,461,000
Area: 310km²
Altitude: 152m above sea level
UEFA Capacity: 35,000
Tenants: FC Metalist Kharkiv
Opened: 1926 (reopened December 2009)
. Originally constructed on the site of the Holy Spirit Cemetery, it was initially called the traktor stadium as it was sponsored by a nearby production plant.