Jump to content

Estádio da Luz: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 38°45′10″N 9°11′05″W / 38.752678°N 9.184681°W / 38.752678; -9.184681
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
→‎Naming: This section needed a clarification. A reply to a post on the comments section already stated clearly that the stadium is named after a neighborhood, itself named after a very important church. And, Luz literally means Light. I've edited so as to clarify this. As it read, it was incorrect.
Line 34: Line 34:


==Naming==
==Naming==
The [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|previous stadium]], which was also officially named "Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica", was named in honour of [[Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Carnide)|Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz]] (Church of Our Lady of Light), and the people of Lisbon used to call it ''a Luz'' ("the Light"). Therefore, the stadium's common name became "Estádio da Luz", which is usually anglicised to "Stadium of Light".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lutz|first=Tom|date=20 March 2012|title=Benfica's Stadium of Light to host 2014 Champions League final|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/20/champions-league-final-venue-2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=30 August 2017}}</ref> This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since ''Luz'' refers not to "light" but to the original address of the stadium: ''Estrada da Luz'' ("Road/Street of Light").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/estadio/estadiosanteriores/estadiodoslb.aspx|title=Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Luz)|website=Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Site Oficial|access-date=2016-04-20 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512164009if_/https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/estadio/estadiosanteriores/estadiodoslb.aspx |archivedate=12 May 2017 |deadurl=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Princess Diana Stadium? Sir Bob Murray reveals request to rename the Stadium of Light |last=Hunter |first=James |work=ChronicleLive |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=28 December 2018 |url= https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/princess-diana-stadium-sir-bob-13376071}}</ref> Moreover, like its predecessor, the current stadium is also referred to as {{lang|pt|a Catedral}} (the Cathedral) or as {{lang|pt|o Inferno da Luz}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/multimedia/videos/interior/benfica-junta-a-festa-de-carnaval-ao-inferno-da-luz-9115289.html|title=Benfica junta a festa de Carnaval ao inferno da Luz|trans-title=Benfica join Carnival celebrations to the ''inferno da Luz''|date=13 February 2018|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>
The [[Estádio da Luz (1954)|previous stadium]] was also officially named "Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica", but both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Estádio da Luz. Luz is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, on the border between the parishes of [[Benfica (Lisbon)|Benfica]] and [[Carnide|Carnide]], which itself derives its name from the nearby [[Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Carnide)|Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz]] (Church of Our Lady of Light). This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luz: a Catedral |last=Silveira |first=João Pedro |work=Zerozero.pt |date= |access-date=8 May 2019 |url= https://www.zerozero.pt/text.php?id=5266}}</ref>, and the people of Lisbon used to call it simply ''a Luz'' ("the Light"). Therefore, the stadium's common name became "Estádio da Luz", which is usually anglicised to "Stadium of Light".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lutz|first=Tom|date=20 March 2012|title=Benfica's Stadium of Light to host 2014 Champions League final|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/20/champions-league-final-venue-2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=30 August 2017}}</ref> This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since ''Luz'' refers not to "light" but to the original address of the stadium: ''Estrada da Luz'' ("Road/Street of Light").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/estadio/estadiosanteriores/estadiodoslb.aspx|title=Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Luz)|website=Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Site Oficial|access-date=2016-04-20 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512164009if_/https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/estadio/estadiosanteriores/estadiodoslb.aspx |archivedate=12 May 2017 |deadurl=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Princess Diana Stadium? Sir Bob Murray reveals request to rename the Stadium of Light |last=Hunter |first=James |work=ChronicleLive |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=28 December 2018 |url= https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/princess-diana-stadium-sir-bob-13376071}}</ref> Like its predecessor, the current stadium is also referred to as {{lang|pt|a Catedral}} (the Cathedral) or as {{lang|pt|o Inferno da Luz}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/multimedia/videos/interior/benfica-junta-a-festa-de-carnaval-ao-inferno-da-luz-9115289.html|title=Benfica junta a festa de Carnaval ao inferno da Luz|trans-title=Benfica join Carnival celebrations to the ''inferno da Luz''|date=13 February 2018|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==

Revision as of 10:22, 8 May 2019

Estádio da Luz
A Catedral
O Inferno da Luz
Map
Full nameEstádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
LocationLisbon, Portugal
Coordinates38°45′10″N 9°11′05″W / 38.752678°N 9.184681°W / 38.752678; -9.184681
Public transitLisbon Metro  Azul  at Colégio Militar/Luz
OwnerS.L. Benfica - Futebol, SAD
OperatorS.L. Benfica
Executive suites156
Capacity64,642
Record attendanceOfficial match: 64,591[2]
(13 May 2017)
All-time: 65,400
(25 October 2003)
Field size105 x 68 m
SurfaceGrass
ScoreboardYes
Construction
Broke ground2003
Opened25 October 2003
Construction cost€162 million[1]
ArchitectHOK Sport (now Populous)
Tenants
S.L. Benfica (2003–present)
S.L. Benfica B (2003–2006, 2012–2013)
Portugal national football team (selected matches)
Website
slbenfica.pt

The Estádio da Luz (Portuguese pronunciation: [(ɨ)ˈʃtaðju ðɐ ˈluʃ]), officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Lisbon, Portugal. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of Portuguese club S.L. Benfica. It is owned by the club's SAD.

Opened on 25 October 2003 with an exhibition match between Benfica and Uruguayan club Nacional, it replaced the original Estádio da Luz, which had 120,000 seats. The seating capacity was decreased to 65,647[3][4] and is currently set at 64,642.[5] The stadium was designed by HOK Sport Venue Event and had a construction cost of €162 million.[1]

A UEFA category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Europe (the biggest of Portugal), Estádio da Luz hosted several matches of the UEFA Euro 2004, including its final, and the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final. Moreover, it was the venue for the New7Wonders of the World announcement ceremony in 2007.[6] In 2014, it was elected as the most beautiful stadium of Europe in an online poll by L'Équipe.[7][8][9]

As of its fifteenth birthday, Estádio da Luz has welcomed more than 17 million spectators.[10]

Naming

The previous stadium was also officially named "Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica", but both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Estádio da Luz. Luz is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, on the border between the parishes of Benfica and Carnide, which itself derives its name from the nearby Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Church of Our Lady of Light). This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction[11], and the people of Lisbon used to call it simply a Luz ("the Light"). Therefore, the stadium's common name became "Estádio da Luz", which is usually anglicised to "Stadium of Light".[12] This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Luz refers not to "light" but to the original address of the stadium: Estrada da Luz ("Road/Street of Light").[13][14] Like its predecessor, the current stadium is also referred to as a Catedral (the Cathedral) or as o Inferno da Luz.[15]

Characteristics

Architect Damon Lavelle, from HOK Sport Venue Event (now Populous), designed the stadium to focus on light and transparency. Its polycarbonate roof allows the sunlight to penetrate the stadium in order to illuminate it. The roof, which is supported by tie-beams of four steel arches, seems to float on the underlying tribunes. The arches are 43 metres high and help define the look of the stadium, after having been shaped to be similar to the wavy profile of its three tiers.

A panorama of the Estádio da Luz on 30 July 2009

Notable matches

Opening game

Benfica Portugal2–1Uruguay Nacional
Nuno Gomes 7', 47' Report Mello 11'
Attendance: 65,400

In the opening match, Benfica beat Uruguayan side Nacional 2–1 with goals from Nuno Gomes, who became the first scorer in the history of Estádio da Luz.

UEFA Euro 2004

UEFA Euro 2004 - Quarter-finals

In the first quarter-final ever between England and Portugal, the English side opened the scoring after only two minutes through Michael Owen. Portugal's constant attacking pressure from then on resulted in Hélder Postiga's 83rd-minute equaliser. A controversial incident came in the dying minutes when Michael Owen hit the Portuguese crossbar, resulting in a Sol Campbell header, which appeared to have given England the lead again, but the header was ruled out for what referee Urs Meier deemed a foul on the Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo. The sides exchanged goals in extra-time, sending the match to penalty kicks, which Portugal eventually won 6–5. Ricardo saved the penalty from Darius Vassell and then scored the winning goal.

UEFA Euro 2004 - Final

Portugal 0–1 Greece
Report Charisteas 57'
Attendance: 62,865
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)

2014 UEFA Champions League Final

Real Madrid Spain4–1 (a.e.t.)Spain Atlético Madrid
Ramos 90+3'
Bale 110'
Marcelo 118'
Ronaldo 120' (pen.)
Report Godín 36'
Attendance: 60,976[16]

Portugal national football team matches

Entrance of the stadium during the UEFA Euro 2004

The following national team matches were held in the stadium.

# Date Score Opponent Competition
1. 16 June 2004 2–0  Russia Euro 2004 Group Stage
2. 24 June 2004 2–2[17]  England Euro 2004 Quarter-Finals
3. 4 July 2004 0–1  Greece Euro 2004 Final
4. 4 June 2005 2–0  Slovakia 2006 World Cup qualification
5. 8 September 2007 2–2  Poland Euro 2008 qualifying
6. 10 October 2009 3–0  Hungary 2010 World Cup qualification
7. 14 November 2009 1–0  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010 World Cup UEFA play-offs
8. 17 November 2010 4–0  Spain Friendly
9. 4 June 2011 1–0  Norway Euro 2012 qualifying
10. 15 November 2011 6–2  Bosnia and Herzegovina Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs
11. 2 June 2012 1–3  Turkey Friendly
12. 7 June 2013 1–0  Russia 2014 World Cup qualification
13. 15 November 2013 1–0  Sweden 2014 World Cup UEFA play-offs
14. 29 March 2015 2–1  Serbia Euro 2016 qualifying
15. 8 June 2016 7–0  Estonia Friendly
16. 25 March 2017 3–0  Hungary 2018 World Cup qualification
17. 10 October 2017 2–0   Switzerland 2018 World Cup qualification
18. 7 June 2018 3–0  Algeria Friendly
19. 10 September 2018 1–0  Italy 2018–19 UEFA Nations League
20. 22 March 2019 0–0  Ukraine Euro 2020 qualifying
21. 25 March 2019 1–1  Serbia Euro 2020 qualifying

Euro 2004 matches

Date Result Round
13 June 2004  France 2–1  England Group B
16 June 2004  Russia 0–2  Portugal Group A
21 June 2004  Croatia 2–4  England Group B
24 June 2004  Portugal 2–2 (6–5 on pen.)  England Quarter-finals
4 July 2004  Portugal 0–1  Greece Final

Benfica matches in European competitions

As of match played 11 April 2019
87 matches: 55 wins, 16 draws, 16 losses
138 goals scored, 65 goals conceded

References

  1. ^ a b "Vender jogadores para gerar receitas" [Selling players to generate revenue]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 April 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  2. ^ "History has been made". S.L. Benfica. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Stadiums in Portugal". World Stadiums. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Estadio da Luz". World Stadium Database. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  5. ^ "fsd150611.pdf" (PDF). CMVM (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 14 April 2016. pp. 81–82. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Das Sete Novas Maravilhas do Mundo, o Cristo Redentor" [From the New Seven Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer]. Expedia.com.br (in Portuguese). 19 November 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Estádio da Luz é o mais bonito da Europa" [Estádio da Luz is the most beautiful of Europe]. Record (in Portuguese). 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Luz considerado o estádio mais bonito" [Luz considered the most beautiful stadium]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 22 October 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  9. ^ Tavares da Silva, Hugo (22 October 2014). "Estádio da Luz é o mais bonito da Europa" [Estádio da Luz is the most beautiful of Europe]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Luz recebeu mais de 17 milhões de espectadores em 15 anos" [Da Luz welcomed more than 17 million spectators in 15 years]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  11. ^ Silveira, João Pedro. "Luz: a Catedral". Zerozero.pt. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  12. ^ Lutz, Tom (20 March 2012). "Benfica's Stadium of Light to host 2014 Champions League final". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Luz)". Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Site Oficial. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Hunter, James (20 April 2017). "The Princess Diana Stadium? Sir Bob Murray reveals request to rename the Stadium of Light". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  15. ^ "Benfica junta a festa de Carnaval ao inferno da Luz" [Benfica join Carnival celebrations to the inferno da Luz]. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Full-time report" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  17. ^ 6–5 after penalty shoot-out.
Preceded by UEFA European Football Championship
Final Venue

2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final Venue

2014
Succeeded by