Real Madrid Castilla, known also as Real Madrid B, has a new stasium wich is named as the the best No. 9 footballer of all time: Alfredo di Stefano. It will be inaugurated on the 9th of May 2006! Everything is around number 9 so realmadrid.com gave us 9 reasons why is this stadium so wonderful, unique.
Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium
Nine reasons why this magnificent stadium is so unique
Everything revolves around the number '9'. Real Madrid Castilla's new stadium will be inaugurated on 9 May. The vanguard sports complex is named after the “best 9”, and arguably the best footballer of all time: Alfredo di Stéfano. Realmadrid.com visited the Stadium and found nine reasons why it is so unique and special.
1. THE STADIUM'S PRIVILEGED LOCATION:
Real Madrid City, the largest sports facility ever built by a football Club, is in a privileged location of Madrid. And, located in the heart of the future Valdebebas Park, and in between the two most active business centers of Madrid, IFEMA and Barajas Airport, the Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium is also in a privileged enclave inside Real Madrid City.
The Stadium is in the center of the 120 hectare premises. Upon completion of all the construction phases, it will be the nerve centre of the City.
2. AN EVER-GROWING STADIUM:
The Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium has been designed to continue growing according to the Club's necessities. It currently holds 6,000 spectators: 4,000 in the West Stand and 2,000 in the East Stand, and upon completion of phase four will have as many as 25,000 seats.
Ever since it was a mere blueprint, its final design was kept in mind, and the the foundation laid in phase one was calculated for phase four. The expansion work will not affect football matches.
The Stadium will grow on all four sides in consecutive phases. The roof over the wing is retractable.
3. A STADIUM TO PLAY IN AND TRAIN IN:
Not only will the Stadium be used by Real Madrid Castilla for matches, but it will also host training sessions for both the First Team and the Second Division Team. Along with the Bernabéu, its pitch is one of few that contains its own heating system.
4. A MEDIA-FRIENDLY STADIUM:
Space for the media was also taken into account in the creation of this Stadium, and they will have a specially designed area where they will be able to carry out their work. Therefore, the Alfredo di Stéfano has all the latest technology allowing journalists to work in the best conditions possible.
The Stadium has two television sets, four commentator booths, and 10 radio booths. It also has 28 seats for printed press and 32 for commentators. It's a "miniature" Bernabéu, and in many ways is better, because all the latest technical advances have been included.
A track exclusively for cameras following offsides, the master camera, and the short camera was created, and is located on top of the Presidential Balcony and radio booths. The press have their own communications center giving them access the pitch and containing a press conference room, a photographers room, a mixed zone, and a TV set.
5. A STADIUM AT THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGY :
The Stadium contains its own Facilities Control Unit (UCI) and Organizational Control Unit (UCO), where all match operations are controlled.
It also contains the latest technological advancements in every aspect possible. From these modern facilities located in one of the stadium ends, you have a privileged view of the premises. The entire Stadium has been linked into facility control of the Sports City.
6. AN ENVIRONMENTLLY FRIENDLY STADIUM:
The Stadium is just like the City itself: environmentally friendly. Sanitary hot water is obtained by solar panels situated on the roof of the facility's building. Sprinkler water is obtained by a water purification system and cold air is produced by ice tanks.
7. THE STADIUM ACCOMODATES RIVAL SUPPORTERS:
Visiting team supporters will enjoy an area specially designed for them. They will have their own parking lot with capacity for more than 10 buses. They will access the stadium via restricted entry ways and will have their own seats. Currently, 300, or 5%, of the Stadium tickets will be set aside for rival fans, but the quantity could go up depending on the match. They will also have their own bathrooms and catering zone.
8. A SAFE STADIUM:
The Alfredo di Stéfano stands out for its safety. Its large parking lots can hold more than 800 vehicles and it has a separate lot just for buses. It also has safe, wide access points.
The Stadium is in compliance with all security measures in terms of emergency evacuation. From day one, it was designed to accomodate people with limited movement, who will have special vantage points.
9. A MULTIPURPOSE STADIUM:
The Stadium will be home to Real Madrid Castilla and will host many more events. It will be used for many commercial purposes, as originally planned before construction began.
Any type of event or concert will be able to be held here. Its facilities have been adapted so that large trailers carrying concert stages and equipment can have easy access. In the future, it will also contain dressing rooms for these events.
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...
We have selected nine reasons, but there are many more. Supporters will have the chance to discover them on 9 May, when the Stadium is officially inaugurated against Stade de Reims. It will be a match full of symbolism, as it was the White's first opponent in a European Cup final, and the first won by Alfredo di Stéfano. As time passed, his beloved Madrid would win many more. Nine to be exact.
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Don Alfredo inaugurates stadium
The Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium is open for business
The day all Madridistas had been waiting for finally arrived. The Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium was inaugurated on Monday evening. Alfredo Di Stéfano, the former Real Madrid star and current Honourary President of the Club, witnessed the ceremony held to commemorate the grand opening of the stadium that bears his name. Surrounded by his loved ones, an emotional Don Alfredo took his first steps on the pitch that he hopes will “produce several great footballers.” It was a huge step forward towards the completion of the final project that is Real Madrid City at Valdebebas.
Since 30 September, when Real Madrid City was first inaugurated, Real Madrid fans across the globe had been waiting for the grand opening of the stadium that will be home to Real Madrid Castilla. More importantly, the top of the stadium's grandstand bears the name of the best player in Real Madrid's history, Alfredo Di Stéfano.
No one wanted to miss such an important occasion. Real Madrid President, Luis Gómez-Montejano, several Directors, the captains of the First and Second teams, former players, and Don Alfredo's former teammates attended the event and closely followed the proceedings.
FIRST TO ENTER THE STADIUM
All the invitees gathered at the stadium's entrance. The opening act of the ceremony began once the local, regional, and national authorities arrived, namely, Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Autonomous Community of Madrid President Esperanza Aguirre, and Sports Secretary Jaime Lissaveztky.
The ribbon was cut by the aforementioned, the President of Real Madrid, and the star of the evening, Alfredo Di Stéfano. The symbolic cutting marked the moment when the guests could take their first steps inside the stadium. On the short walk to the stands, the first comments exalting this “magnificent facility” were heard. The highlight was seeing Di Stéfano having a one-on-one chat with Raúl González. Although Real Madrid's Captain had been with the Spanish national team for the 24-hour 'get-to-know-you' session, he did not want to miss the important event and warmheartedly greeted Don Afredo.
THE SPEECHES
Once the guests had taken their seats in the outdoor grandstand, a collection of historical photographs of Di Stéfano's playing days served as a colourful backdrop to the commemorative plaque and the podium. The first to take the floor was Community President Esperanza Aguirre, who stressed the “great honour it is to attend the inauguration of a stadium that is named after a living legend of the world of football. Naming it after Don Alfredo is a wise decision.”
Speaking along the same lines of praise, Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón emphasised, “I have never allowed my name to appear on an inaugural plaque. People come and go; it's the position that's important. On this occasion, I am proud that my name appears next to Don Alfredo's.” Gallardón also addressed a few words to “Florentino Pérez, a visionary whose idea of a Sports City was well ahead of his time.”
Sports Secretary Jaime Lissaveztky was brief, stating, “There was a reason why we wore the number '9' when we were kids. In my opinion, Alfredo was always the best and I hope to witness the progression and development of many world-class players at this stadium.”
In short, it was an emotional and sentimental ceremony that earned the most representative Madridista in the 104-year history of the best Club of the 20th Century the applause and praise of all those in attendance.
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