The stadium in Cherkizovo: History and Facts

Once upon a time there was a stadium called "Stalinets", and now is one of the most beautiful and modern stadiums Russia.

The stadium in Cherkizovo: it all began

In the mid-thirties of the twentieth century, the Moscow authorities are thinking about creating Cherkizovo sports-park complex. Its central object was to be the largest stadium, which then in the capital noticeably lacking. The importance and relevance of the project is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the new arena was given the name "Stalinets".

"Stalinets" taken into operation in 1935. Initially, he did not have a clear binding club - played here everything, from the "Dynamo" to "Spartacus." And played "Locomotive" - ​​the railroad have been here a few games victory for himself USSR Cup in 1936.

After the war, "Stalinets" for some time has become the main sports facilities of the Soviet capital. "Luzhniki" was not there, the rest of the stadiums were in ruins, so the stadium in Cherkizovo Moscow has become a real Mecca of football fans. Football is played here from morning till evening. Box office stadium in Cherkizovo does not shut down, and the city authorities even had to organize a separate tram route.

The proud name of "Locomotive"

By the mid-sixties it became clear that the old "Stalinets" no longer corresponds to the requirements of time. The arena was demolished and in its place was built a brand new tridtsatitysyachnik titled "Locomotive". As you can guess, this arena has been considered a home for "Locomotive", although that did not stop from time to time to use it as a home and the other teams. For example, here in the early nineties, often took the Moscow "Spartak" opponents - by the way, the legendary match against the Swiss, "Sion", the players who have filed a protest against the wrong size gate, held here. By the end of the 90s there have been some changes. Stadium outdated significantly. It did not help, and the hasty, ill-thought-out renovation. And changed the status of the club, if in Soviet times, "Locomotive" was called the fifth wheel of the Moscow football, in the nineties the club became one of the strongest in Russia. Under the leadership of Yuri Semin started a golden era - red and green several times took the Russian Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.

Play frankly outdated arena club with such ambition was once worthless.

An unusual debut

In the summer of 2000 it began a large-scale reconstruction of the "Locomotive", which is much more like a complete overhaul. Money from the club at the time was - the team has taken under the wing of JSC "Russian Railways", have sponsored the ultra-modern training complex in Bakovka.

Reconstruction lasted two years. It occupies a team of architects led by Andrei Bokov. The operation of the project was commissioned in the summer of 2002. Interestingly, after the completion of the work on the stadium was invited by the priest, sanctified the new facility by all the canons of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On July 5, 2002 the stadium in Cherkizovo Address: Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya street, 125. The first match at the new stadium're celebrating the Day of the railwayman. Rushing to the championship "Locomotive" played a modest Elista "Uralanom" and won with a minimum score of 1: 0. Interestingly, the first goal in the history of the new arena was packed with ... into his own net. Such an unusual way distinguished guests defenseman Dmitry Semochko.

Happy arena

In a short time at the stadium "Locomotive" in Cherkizovo debut and team. In September 2002, the main team of the country adopted here rivals from Ireland. Guests were afraid, because shortly before that they were worthy of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. But all fears were in vain - the team Valery Gazzaev revealed gorgeous football and won a landslide victory, and beautiful with the score 4: 2.

The new stadium brought success not only to the team - in the autumn of the "locomotive" for the first time in history, became the champion of Russia, won a dramatic race at CSKA. That autumn at the new stadium for the first time UEFA Champions League were held on a visit to the "Locomotives" came the command level of Madrid "Real" and Istanbul "Galatasaray".

and symbolism Cherkizovo

Over the past 15 years, "Lokomotiv" seen any. And the top football matches, concerts and loud and unexpected hosts like "Spartacus", temporarily moved here to the commissioning of "Luzhniki" and "opening of the arena." Successfully coped with the game and the stadium crisis "Locomotive", kickbacks in the middle of the table, but still continues to attract fans in the bleachers comfortable one of the best stadiums in the country.

The fact is that watching football in Cherkizovo extremely comfortable. Primarily because of the lack of traditional Soviet stadiums racetracks, postpones the field and significantly impair visibility. "Locomotive" they are not, clean the stadium football, spectators can enjoy the game in all its details. Cherkizovo Stadium capacity exceeds 27 thousand spectators, but sometimes everyone to post still can not.

Not afraid of the visitors of the stadium in Cherkizovo and bad weather. In which case they would save a retractable roof, standing on the four majestic pylons in the form of letters "L". In general, the symbolism abound in the arena - which are even painted in red and green colors of the seat, not for one second lets you forget who's boss in this arena!

The memory of the legends of

The historical past of the "Locomotive" also symbolizes the locomotive, solemnly installed at the main entrance and equipped with special signs mentioning the main achievements of the club. Also on the glorious history of the red-green it is designed to resemble a special Walk of Fame "Locomotive", broken about the arena 10 years ago. Sometimes, however, the story comes to modernity in the conflict. Not long ago, the stadium "Locomotive" was renamed - in exchange for imposing financial investment, he began to carry the name of the main sponsor and is now called "RZD-Arena". Many in the crowd criticized this decision, saying that the leadership in the pursuit of big money "has sold the story." Perhaps this is something there, but we should not forget the other side of the coin - the club needs to make something, and the sale of the stadium name has long been the standard way of attracting sponsorship. For example, a stadium, "Manchester City" is called "Ettihad" and the German "Schalke 04" takes on rivals "Veltins-Arena".