SPORTS> World Cup History
|
SPORTS> World Cup History
|
|
Classic Stadiums (7): Rasunda, Stockholm
(FIFAworldcup.com)
Updated: 2006-06-05 16:39 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Inauguration: 17 May 1937 Rasunda resonates through the years
Sweden's Rasunda Stadium is one of just two venues in the world - California's Rose Bowl being the other - that can boast of having hosted the final of both the FIFA World Cup (1958) and the FIFA Women's World Cup (1995). The football-specific stadium, which is in the district of Solna six kilometres northwest of Stockholm city centre, is famed for putting spectators right on top of the action, and it still generates a fantastic atmosphere for the always competitive Swedish national team. The birthplace of Brazil's greatest Stockholm's footballing temple could be described as the veritable birthplace of one of the world's greatest footballers. At the 1958 FIFA World Cup, a certain Edson Arantes do Nascimento caused a sensation when the then 17-year-old Brazilian enchanted fans around the world with his magical footwork. The youngster, better known by his pseudonym Pele, would go on to be recognised as one of the greatest players of all time in the annals of football. After his goal scoring quarter-final performance against Wales, the young Pele's finest hour came on 24 June at the Rasunda. The 27,000 fans inside the stadium could scarcely believe their eyes as the 17-year-old's famous hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over France fired his team into the final. Just five days later on 29 June 1958, the R?sunda Stadium was again the canvas for the young prodigy's artistic skills as Brazil came up against hosts Sweden in the final. Once again, the teenager upstaged everyone else on the pitch, scoring a brace in another 5-2 triumph as Brazil won the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. Despite the obvious disappointment for the hosts, the 51,800 spectators in the sold-out stadium rose to celebrate and fervently applaud the exceptional young talent. Sweden 58 was the FIFA World Cup to be broadcast around the world, allowing fans on every continent to appreciate the incredible skills of the young Brazilian. A truly national stadium The Rasunda stadium's second global footballing showcase came in 1995 at the second FIFA Women's World Cup. In a repeat of the men's tournament of 1958, the Stockholm venue was chosen to stage the final. Norway came out on top in a rain-soaked all-European affair, defeating Germany 2-0 to lift their first trophy in the home of their Scandinavian neighbours. The attendance record at the Swedish national stadium was not set at a final, but a FIFA World Cup qualifier. On 26 September 1965, Sweden played host to Germany as 52,943 fans witnessed a dramatic match to decide qualification for England 66. However, the R?sunda Stadium could not bring the home side any good fortune as the eventual finalists won 2-1 with goals from Uwe Seeler and Werner Kramer. The fixture was repeated again 27 years later at the 1992 European Championship when the Swedes met the reigning world champions in the semi-final. Yet again, the stadium failed to provide an edge for the hosts as Germany prevailed 3-2 to reach the final in Gothenburg. Today, the 37,000-seater Rasunda Stadium, owned by top-flight club AIK Stockholm, is also the adopted home ground of Djurgardens IF. The Stockholm arena has also hosted prestigious matches at club level, staging the European Cup Winners’ Cup final on 13 May 1998, when English club Chelsea defeated Germany’s VfB Stuttgart 1-0. Did You Know? By the end of 2004, the Swedes will have played over 170 national team matches at Rasunda. The record attendance for the Swedish women's national team is 20,302 for a match against Switzerland at R?sunda in May of 2002. Sweden's 1-0 lead to start off the 1958 FIFA World Cup final in the R?sunda was the first time the Sele?ao were behind in the tournament. However, just six minutes later, Garrincha made a goal for Vavà and the match was even. Hege Riise and Marianne Pettersen scored the goals in the final of the FIFA World Cup Sweden 1995, hosted at the R?sunda with 17,158 in attendance. Sweden's Italy 90 qualifier with England on 6 September 1989 at the stadium is remembered for English defender Terry Butcher's head wound. The hard man had stitches hastily inserted at half-time and his white shirt proceeded to turn crimson with his own blood in front of the impresses Rasunda faithful. The English have a long history with R?sunda, and they were the first-ever opponents for the Swedes there. They ruined the inauguration party with a 4-0 victory over their hosts in May of 1937. Hosted 1958 FIFA World Cup final (Brazil 5:2 Sweden) 1958 FIFA World Cup semi-final (Brazil 5:2 France) 1958 FIFA World Cup quarter-final (Sweden 2:0 USSR) 1958 FIFA World Cup group matches (5) European Championship 1992 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden 1995 final |
