Stade de la Meinau
Encyclopedia
The Stade de la Meinau, commonly known as "La Meinau" is a football
stadium
in Strasbourg
, France. It is the home ground of RC Strasbourg
and has also hosted international matches, including one game of World cup 1938, two games of Euro 1984 and the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1988
. La Meinau has also been used as a venue for concerts and a mass by John Paul II in 1988. The stadium is owned by the Strasbourg municipality and is rented by the RC Strasbourg. The club is planning to move to a new ground provisionally known as EuroStadium
in 2013, which means that La Meinau's future is uncertain.
was still part of Germany following the Franco-Prussian War
, RC Strasbourg
, then called FC Neudorf, signed a 300 Deutsche Mark lease to use the Haemmerlé Garten, essentially a pitch surrounded by the woods in the then mainly rural district of Meinau. This would eventually serve as the ground where the stadium was constructed. Between 1906 and 1914, the pitch had been used by another team, FC Frankonia, and several lawsuits were necessary to evict that team from the ground. Construction eventually proceeded and was completed in 1921 with a capacity of 30,000. During the 1938 FIFA World Cup
, La Meinau hosted a first round game that saw Brazil
eliminate Poland
6–5
after extra-time thanks to a triple by Leônidas
who scored one of the very first Bicycle kick
s in the history of football. The stadium was rebuilt from the ground up in 1984 for the European Championship and hosted a record 44,566 for the West Germany
vs. Portugal
match (0–0). La Meinau is a compact, fully rectangular stadium with quarter-corners between the four mains stands (North, South, West and East). In 1988 La Meinau hosted the UEFA Cup Winners Cup final that saw K.V. Mechelen defeat Ajax Amsterdam
1–0
. After the tragic events of Heysel, Hillsborough
and Furiani
, safety regulations were reinforced, progressively limiting the number of standing places. This change of regulation severely limited la Meinau's capacity since the stadium had large terraces all-around the pitch. Hence, in 1996, RC Strasbourg
had to limit the attendance to 26,000 (seated only) in a stadium originally built for 45,000 when they hosted AC Milan for the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. In 1993, La Meinau was considered as a strong potential candidate to host games for World Cup 1998 by Michel Platini
, who organized the tournament, especially because of its proximity to Germany and Central Europe
in general. However, the municipality was unwilling to assume the cost of the works necessary to host the World Cup – estimated at 200 millions Francs – citing the other costly projects under way, especially the tram
. Since Metz
also declined an invitation to host the cup, there were no games in 1998 in the whole Northeastern France. La Meinau was last refurbished in 2001, its current capacity for league games is 29,320.
----
----
have played three games in Strasbourg.
----
----
----
The France women's national football team
has played two games in Strasbourg.
----
----
The French national rugby union team has played one game in Strasbourg.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France. It is the home ground of RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
and has also hosted international matches, including one game of World cup 1938, two games of Euro 1984 and the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1988
1988 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1988 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between K.V. Mechelen of Belgium and the defending champions, AFC Ajax of Netherlands. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1987–88 and the 28th European Cup Winners' Cup Final. The final was held at Stade de...
. La Meinau has also been used as a venue for concerts and a mass by John Paul II in 1988. The stadium is owned by the Strasbourg municipality and is rented by the RC Strasbourg. The club is planning to move to a new ground provisionally known as EuroStadium
EuroStadium
EuroStadium is a multi-use stadium in Strasbourg, France, that is currently being planned. Once completed in 2013, it will be used mostly for football matches and will host the home matches of RC Strasbourg. The stadium will have a capacity of 42,710 people. It replaces their current stadium...
in 2013, which means that La Meinau's future is uncertain.
History
On 1 April 1914, as StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
was still part of Germany following the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, then called FC Neudorf, signed a 300 Deutsche Mark lease to use the Haemmerlé Garten, essentially a pitch surrounded by the woods in the then mainly rural district of Meinau. This would eventually serve as the ground where the stadium was constructed. Between 1906 and 1914, the pitch had been used by another team, FC Frankonia, and several lawsuits were necessary to evict that team from the ground. Construction eventually proceeded and was completed in 1921 with a capacity of 30,000. During the 1938 FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
, La Meinau hosted a first round game that saw Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
eliminate Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
6–5
Poland v Brazil (1938)
Poland v Brazil was a football match held during the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France and still remembered by Polish fans of this sport as the one in which Poland national football team debuted. To qualify to the tournament Poland had to beat only one team - Yugoslavia...
after extra-time thanks to a triple by Leônidas
Leônidas da Silva
Leônidas da Silva was an association footballer and commentator. He is regarded to be one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. He played for Brazil in two World Cups, and was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup....
who scored one of the very first Bicycle kick
Bicycle kick
A Bicycle kick or Scissor kick is a physical move made by throwing the body up into the air, making a shearing movement with the legs to get one leg in front of the other without holding on to the ground. The move can either be done backwards or sideways...
s in the history of football. The stadium was rebuilt from the ground up in 1984 for the European Championship and hosted a record 44,566 for the West Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
vs. Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
match (0–0). La Meinau is a compact, fully rectangular stadium with quarter-corners between the four mains stands (North, South, West and East). In 1988 La Meinau hosted the UEFA Cup Winners Cup final that saw K.V. Mechelen defeat Ajax Amsterdam
Ajax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax , also referred to as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam or simply Ajax , is a professional football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands...
1–0
1988 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1988 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between K.V. Mechelen of Belgium and the defending champions, AFC Ajax of Netherlands. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1987–88 and the 28th European Cup Winners' Cup Final. The final was held at Stade de...
. After the tragic events of Heysel, Hillsborough
Hillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
and Furiani
Armand Césari Stadium disaster
The Armand Césari Stadium disaster happened at Bastia on the French island of Corsica at the Stade Armand Cesari, on 5 May 1992. 18 people were killed when one of the terraces collapsed....
, safety regulations were reinforced, progressively limiting the number of standing places. This change of regulation severely limited la Meinau's capacity since the stadium had large terraces all-around the pitch. Hence, in 1996, RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
had to limit the attendance to 26,000 (seated only) in a stadium originally built for 45,000 when they hosted AC Milan for the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. In 1993, La Meinau was considered as a strong potential candidate to host games for World Cup 1998 by Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
, who organized the tournament, especially because of its proximity to Germany and Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
in general. However, the municipality was unwilling to assume the cost of the works necessary to host the World Cup – estimated at 200 millions Francs – citing the other costly projects under way, especially the tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
. Since Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
also declined an invitation to host the cup, there were no games in 1998 in the whole Northeastern France. La Meinau was last refurbished in 2001, its current capacity for league games is 29,320.
Records
- Record attendance: 44,566 on 14 June 1984
----
- Record attendance for a domestic league game: 39,033 on 20 November 1992
----
France's national teams at la Meinau
The France national football teamFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
have played three games in Strasbourg.
----
----
----
The France women's national football team
France women's national football team
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer...
has played two games in Strasbourg.
----
----
The French national rugby union team has played one game in Strasbourg.
Non-sport events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 October 1988 | Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ... mass On the occasion of Strasbourg's 2000th Anniversary |
| 23 June 1993 | U2 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music... Concert Supported by The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited... |
| 9 September 1994 | Pink Floyd Pink Floyd Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially... Concert |
| 22 June 2003 | Johnny Hallyday Johnny Hallyday Johnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan... Concert Supported by Yannick Noah Yannick Noah Yannick Noah is a former professional tennis player from France. He is best remembered for being the last French man to win the French Open in 1983, and as a highly-successful captain of France's Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams... |