Last update 29 September, 2014 by Alberto Llopis
When one speaks of the Barcelona one of the first things that will come to mind is his giant stadium: el Camp Nou, a spectacular venue that is usually witnessed every year thousands of visitors who come dazzled not only see the big stars of the moment azulgranas, but to see firsthand one of the most traditional areas of the world.
Member of the select group of five star venues, Camp Nou has sophisticated facilities including restaurants, VIP stage, and the most advanced technologies, and a museum where you can see the trophies earned by the company throughout its centennial history.
Inaugurated in 1957, the Camp Nou is the largest country in Europe and the sixth in the world with a capacity of 99.354 spectators. Precisely, the large presence of followers was what provoked mid commitment of the Catalan club by replacing the old field “The Courts”, which at that time had 48.000 localities and it remained small with large numbers who used to go to see Barcelona.
The first match was a friendly hosted the presentation 24de September 1953 (Feast of the Merce) between Barcelona and the selection of Warsaw, which resulted in the victory blaugrana 4-2 and which had the most remarkable fact the goal of Eulogio Martínez, the first in the history of the recinto.15 days, después, he 6 October, The stadium was officially opened in league games against Real Club Jaén.
Maybe, one of the things most important of the stadium is its environment. The stadium is located within a complex which also houses the Palau Blaugrana, training camps of the Masia and the stage of the second team, the Mini Estadi, also released 23 September 1982 ( and he featured the famous Maradona change by a young Guillermo Amor as a symbol of respect for the quarry).
How could it not be any other way?, Camp Nou has also witnessed major events. El primero de ellos, the European Championship 1964, which he hosted the semifinal between the USSR and Denmark that gave the pass to the final for the first. Also the World 82, had great impact on the blaugrana enclosure. For the event even came to expand leaving it in 120.000 personas, which they were the ones that enjoyed the semifinal between Italy and Poland that ended the Italian passport to the final.
But without any doubt, The match best remembered for the Camp Nou was the final of the Olympic Games 1992. Spain won Poland with a goal from Kiko late madness wearing a stadium packed to the rafters. And it is that six have been games where the Blaugrana arena has hosted the Spanish football team.
But without any doubt, where more highlighted the Barca camp has been to host club competitions. Especially the European Cup. Hosted two late continental showpiece, still remembered fondly display AC Milan of Van Basten and Gullit in 1989 against Steaua Bucharest or dramatic comeback Manchester United against Bayern Munich in the final of 1999.
Also there were two times that housed the end of Recopa. In 1972, Glasgow Rangers with triumphing over Dynamo Moscow in a final for the incidents remembered who led the Scots tremendous fans and that left two dead and hundreds injured and 1982, with Barcelona itself triumphing over Standard Liege.
Fairs Cup four times and the UEFA Super Cup in five have also seen great European champions crowned. Although that is, they have two legs, which they are contesting as traditionally came well into the years 90. In that sense, Few European stadiums that can boast of having been able to have hosted the finals of all competitions existing clubs in Europe.
but obviously, where else has seen the size of the stadium has been with Barcelona. The Nou Camp has witnessed the presence of the best players in Barcelona's history. Maradona, Guardiola, Romario, Ronaldo, Cruyff, Luis Suarez or Leo Messi are just some of the names that have brought glory to their elapsed culé. Celebrities are also duels against rival, the spanish, or Real Madrid. With white, the stadium often become a pressure cooker offering stunning prints to the rest of the world, especially thanks to the mosaics of fans.
Not only official football matches has lived intensely the Nou Camp. The centennial of the Barcelona against Brazil, or numerous parties Catalan football team at the stadium have their headquarters. In addition, enclosure has been charged with receiving other events, especially concerts as lived in 1988 con Michael Jackson, which led to more than 130.000 people fill the stadium.
future changes
In the coming times, It is expected to be a referendum on the stadium in order to decide whether to finally subjected to a further expansion and reform to allow fully cover, or conversely decision to change a new one. A tough decision, you can make the Camp Nou has a completely different look to the next offering in the last fifty years. In any case, that decision will be partners. And is that if something has highlighted the F.C Barcelona throughout its history, in addition to its sports character, It is to be a club of the “soci”.
