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 Interactive map of Estadi de Sarrià | |
| Coordinates | 41°23′35″N2°08′00″E / 41.39306°N 2.13333°E /41.39306; 2.13333 |
|---|---|
| Owner | Espanyol |
| Operator | Espanyol |
| Capacity | 44,000 |
| Field size | 105 m × 70 m (344 ft × 230 ft) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1923 |
| Opened | 18 February 1923 |
| Demolished | 20 September 1997 |
| Architect | Matías Colmenares |
| Tenants | |
| Espanyol (1923–1997)[1] | |
Sarrià Stadium (in Catalan:Estadi de SarriàCatalan pronunciation:[əsˈtaðiðəsəriˈa]; in Spanish:Estadio de Sarrià) was a football stadium inBarcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium was the home ofRCD Espanyol from 1923 to 1997, and was located in the district ofSarrià.
The stadium was named after the road in which it was constructed, which linked Barcelona and Sarrià. Construction began on 31 December 1922 under the supervision of architect Matías Colmenares, and the cost was 170,000pesetas. The initial forecast capacity was for 40,000 spectators, but due to the bankruptcy of the construction company the initial capacity was only for 10,000 spectators.
The opening game was played on 18 February 1923 withRCD Espanyol beating UE Sants 4–1, the first goal scored by Vicenç Tonijuan. In 1929 the club won its first Cup in Spain. On 10 February, at the stadium, 'Pitus' Prats scored the first goal of the first Spanish league title. However, although the club won several Catalan Championships they had to wait until 1940 before winning their second cup in Spain.
In 1948, Espanyol under club president Paco Saenz, repurchased the stadium, which until then belonged to Riva family, for 5 million pesetas.
In 1951 terracing behind the south goal was demolished, and a new grandstand was built which was overlaid in 1956. In 1960 floodlights were installed.
During the 1960s, several outstanding players such as Cayetano Re, Martial, Rodilla, Jose Maria and Peck played at the Sarrià Stadium, but especially noteworthy were Ladislao Kubala (1963–1964) and Alfredo Di Stefano (1964–1967) who finished his career there.
Manuel Meler, the president at the time, completed the southern tier raised above the new gallery, installed the lower side and reconstructed the north stand, all in twelve years.
The Sarrià stadium hosted three games of the1982 FIFA World Cup, with the three matches of Group C in the second round round robin matches, with three of the favourites for the cup playing in this group: Argentina, Brazil, and eventual champions Italy. The key game was the third, in whichItaly defeated Brazil 3-2, in a match regarded as one of the best ever played at a World Cup.[2] The ground was full to capacity for the decisive matches.Jonathan Wilson, writing about the Brazil v Italy match in 2012, said that its "epic feel" was enhanced by the ground being packed.[3]
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 June 1982 |  Italy | 2–1 |  Argentina | Group C (second round) | 43,000 |
| 2 July 1982 | Argentina | 1–3 |  Brazil | 44,000 | |
| 5 July 1982 | Italy | 3–2 | Brazil | 44,000 |
The stadium held the first leg of the1988 UEFA Cup Final, in which Espanyol playedBayer Leverkusen.
Pink Floyd performed at the stadium during theirA Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour" on 20 July 1988 and three days laterGeorge Michael performed at the stadium with hisFaith World Tour.
Sting performed at the stadium duringThe Soul Cages Tour on 12 June 1991.
The venue hosted fivefootball matches at the1992 Summer Olympics.[4]
Espanyol's financial problems forced the company to sell the stadium to property developers. The last game played in Sarrià was against Valencia on 21 June 1997. Espanyol won 3-2 and the last goal was scored by visiting defenderIván Campo. The club then played at theEstadi Olímpic Lluís Companys onMontjuïc until 2009, when it moved to theEstadi Cornellà-El Prat, located betweenCornellà de Llobregat andEl Prat de Llobregat.
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1982 FIFA World Cup stadiums | ||
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| Vall d'Hebron Area | ||
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