Features
SUN 19.07.2015
- The main reason for deciding to build a new stadium was Ladislao Kubala. The Barcelona star was a great attraction for all the fans, but the capacity of Les Corts, which had been extended to 48,000, wasn’t enough. The board of directors paid attention to the supporters who were asking for a new ground and years later presented the Camp Nou.
- The building works took three years to complete (1954-1957). It was inaugurated on the 24th of September that year, coinciding with the annual festival of Mercé, the patron saint of the city of Barcelona, in a period in which Francesc Miró-Sans was the club president.
- The first game was played against a Warsaw Select XI. The Catalan side got their first win at the stadium (4-2).
- Eulogio Martínez was the first to score at the Camp Nou. The Paraguayan player, who wore the Barcelona shirt for seven years, remains in the memory of all 'azulgrana' fans.
- The Camp Nou got ready for its first official match on the 6th of October, 1957, when the team managed by Domènech Balmanya welcomed Jaén, who they beat 6-1.
- After the ground’s first match, Barcelona went on a 13 game unbeaten run (11 wins and 2 draws). Their first loss didn’t come until the 2nd of February, 1958. It was Real Madrid who won for the first time (0-2) at the 'azulgrana' manor.
- In 1992 it hosted the Olympic Games. During the celebration of the games, Spain played a game against Poland, which they won 3-2.
- Last season (2014/15), Barcelona achieved their 1000th victory at home. They did it against Sevilla FC, winning 5-1.
- For a time it competed with the Maracaná for the title of world's biggest stadium, but its capacity (120,000 spectators) had to be reduced for health and safety reasons.
- It is currently the stadium with the biggest capacity in Europe, 99,354 spectators.
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© LALIGA - 2015
