Estadio José María Minella
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| Full name | Estadio José María Minella |
|---|---|
| Location | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| Coordinates | 38°01′04.6″S 57°34′56.4″W / 38.017944°S 57.582333°W |
| Owner | Municipality of General Pueyrredón |
| Capacity | 35,354 [1] |
| Field size | 105 x 70 m |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1976–1978 |
| Opened | May 21, 1978 |
| Tenants | |
| Club Atlético Alvarado Aldosivi | |
The Estadio José María Minella is a stadium in Mar del Plata, Argentina. It is owned and administrated by the Municipality of General Pueyrredón.
History
Argentina was chosen as the host 1978 World Cup of the nation by FIFA in London, England on 6 July 1966, and Mar del Plata, as one of the most touristic cities in the country, was selected as a venue. The stadium has the distinction of being the southernmost stadium to host a World Cup matchThe organizing committee, under supervision of the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina since 1976, decided to build a new stadium on the same spot as 40 years earlier it had been the Mar del Plata hippodrome. The construction began in 1976 and the stadium was opened on May 21, 1978 with a friendly match between a team formed by players from Mar del Plata and another one with players from Tandil.[1]
The sports journalist Mario Trucco proposed the name to honour José María Minella, a renowned former midfielder from Mar del Plata, who played during the 1930s and 1940s for the Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentina national football team, and later manager of the River Plate team from 1945 to 1959 in what became one of the team's most successful eras.
During the 1978 World Cup Mar del Plata hosted six Fifa World Cup matches, three Group 1 and three Group 3 matches.
As the city of Mar del Plata is a very important tourist destination and the biggest seaside beach resort in Argentina, since its construction this stadium has been the main host of the many annual Summer Tournaments.
On February 24, 1993, the stadium played host to the second, and final, Intercontinental Cup for Nations (known as the Artemio Franchi Trophy) match between the then-defending South American football champions, Argentina, and reigning European champions, Denmark. The match ended 1–1 after extra time, but Argentina went on to win 5 – 4 on penalties.
From March 12 to March 26, 1995 Mar del Plata hosted the 12th Pan American Games, and the José María Minella was venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, and the football tournament.
Since 2015 Aldosivi plays on first division and uses this stadium for its home matches, while Club Atlético Alvarado, currently playing on third division, uses it.
Facilities
The José María Minella offers parking lots for 250 cars, a 590 m2 lounge and 245 m2 VIP area, conference room and two 550 m2 gyms. It is part of the "Teodoro Bronzini" Municipal Sports Park, a 35 hectares area with several sport venues, including the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, the Julio Polet Municipal Velodrome, the Pan American Field Hockey Stadium, the "Alberto Zorrilla" Natatorium, the "Justo Roman" Athletic stadium and the Patinódromo Municipal.[2]
Sporting Events
The stadium was built for the 1978 FIFA World Cup and during June 1978 it hosted six matches, three Group 1 matches and three Group 3 matches.
| Date | Time (UTC−03) | Group | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2 | 13:45 ART | Group 1 |  Italy |
2–1 |  France |
42,373 |
| June 3 | 16:45 ART | Group 3 |  Brazil |
1–1 |  Sweden |
32,569 |
| June 6 | 13:45 ART | Group 1 | Italy |
3–1 |  Hungary |
26,533 |
| June 7 | 13:45 ART | Group 3 | Brazil |
0–0 |  Spain |
31,278 |
| June 10 | 14:30 ART[3] | Group 1 | France |
3–1 | Hungary |
23,127 |
| June 11 | 13:45 ART | Group 3 | Brazil |
1-0 |  Austria |
35,221 |
Beside the 1978 FIFA World Cup the José María Minella stadium has hosted:
- 1993 Artemio Franchi Trophy
- 1999 South American U-20 Championship
- 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens
- 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
- 2006 South American Women's Football Championship
Shows
Some of the artists that have played at this stadium are Almendra (1980), Charly García (1984), Queen (1981), Rod Stewart (1989), Soda Stereo (1992), Luis Miguel (1994), La Renga (2006), Duran Duran (2007), Callejeros (2010), Joaquín Sabina (2010) and Ricardo Arjona (2015).
See also
References
- ^ http://www.mardelplata-ayer.com.ar/deportes.html
- ^ http://www.mardelplata.gob.ar/7001010000
- ^ Original kick-off scheduled for 13:45. Match delayed by 45 minutes due to both teams wearing identical kits (red, white & blue). The French eventually donned the kits of the local team Club Atlético Kimberley.
- 1978 FIFA World Cup stadiums
- Football venues in Argentina
- Rugby union stadiums in Argentina
- Club Atlético Aldosivi
- Sports venues completed in 1978
- Buildings and structures in Mar del Plata
- Sports venues in Buenos Aires Province
- Pan American Games opening ceremony stadiums
- Tourist attractions in Mar del Plata
- Venues of the 1995 Pan American Games
- Sport in Mar del Plata
- 1978 establishments in Argentina