Wembley Stadium panorama, pre-game, England-Slovenia, September 9th 2009.

Photo credit: _ToMick_ on Flickr, via the Pitch Invasion Photo Pool.

Related posts:

1. Photo Daily | September 14 | Russian Fans at Wembley Photo credit: The Revolution on Flickr, via the Pitch Invasion photo pool.

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We've focused on the demolition of Ninian Park, formerly Cardiff City's stadium, a couple of times before. Here are the latest photos of a sad end for a historic stadium, taken by Flickr Pitch Invasion Pool contributor joncandy today.

Photo credits: joncandy on Flickr, via the Pitch Invasion Photo Pool.

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Last week I wrote about the bottom half of my personal top 20 stadia (out of 31 total) in MLS history. This week I share with you my top 10.  My b0ttom seven were all larger stadia with capacities of 30,000+ and the next three were each smaller stadia. Today's list reveals eight smaller soccercentric stadia and two of the jumbo variety.

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Donbass Arena opened on August 29th, 2009, and this week will host its first international and one of the biggest game's in Ukraine's history: the second-leg of their World Cup 2010 qualifier playoff against Greece. Ukraine are in great shape to qualify after a 0-0 draw in Athens this weekend.

The game could be taking place in no more beautiful setting.

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The African teams are mostly set. After last weekend's final qualifiers, we know that Cameroon, Nigeria, and either Egypt or Algeria will join hosts South Africa, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana as Africa's representatives at the first African World Cup. But those qualifiers also served to decide the field for a more immediate event: the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Angola in January (shorthanded as CAN2010—for the Campeonato Africano das Nações em Futebol Angola 2010).

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One can make a number of observations about the development of Major League Soccer by examining the stadia its teams have played in. Over the next two weeks, I'm going to rank 20 of the thirty(?) MLS stadia over the last 14 years and share my impressions and a few anecdotes.  Through the rankings, which in general tend to be in chronological order, one can see not only the evolution of MLS stadia, but evolution of the League itself.

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A lot has been said in relation to renaming the new stadium that will be built near our home, White Hart Lane, as well as handing out other naming rights to other stadia around the country such as the future New Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
Many of us just want the naming rights to be left alone. Click to continue reading...

Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside has popped his head above the parapet again. An article in today's Guardian has once again floated the idea of a two tier Premier League. This would involve the co-opting of the current Cocaleague into the EPL structure, with those Bhoys and Gers from Glasgow added to taste. Click to continue reading...

The Big Puma was Back, at Least for a Night
Rare is the sight in Mexican futbol of a stadium packed to capacity. It happens in some places with regualrity: the two Monterrey stadia, Santos, and San Luis Potosí seems to have sell outs every game. The big teams, on the other hand, only seem to pack the place when it's either a rivalry game or a late rounder in the liguilla. Click to continue reading...

This week saw the news that Chelsea have joined Newcastle United in openly stating that they are considering selling the naming rights to one of England's  most established stadiums.

Opening myself to accusations of being overdramatic I believe that if today's announcement to tinker with the name of Stamford Bridge for commercial rights goes ahead it will be one of the biggest events in the clubs history.

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Arsene Wenger and Arsenal may soon have a new owner at the club. Stan Kroenke, who already added to his stock of shares in the North London club earlier this week, reportedly bought 200 more shares today to draw his stake in the club to 29.9 percent -- just 0.09 percent away from the limit where Kroenke would have to make a bid for the remaining shares.

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Arsene Wenger and Arsenal may soon have a new owner at the club. Stan Kroenke, who already added to his stock of shares in the North London club earlier this week, reportedly bought 200 more shares today to draw his stake in the club to 29.9 percent -- just 0.09 percent away from the limit where Kroenke would have to make a bid for the remaining shares.

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Time is short today, so the weekly stadium spotlight series takes a brief look at a stadium that has a considerable transformation planned for it.

In May, the twelve host cities for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil were announced. One of the winning bids was Fortaleza, the state capital of Ceará in Northeastern Brazil.

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For almost 60 years, Lyon have been playing in the Stade de Gerland, a venerable old stadium built in 1914 and a World Cup finals venue in 1998. But their recent run of success of eight consecutive championships from 2002 to 2008 has Lyon planning a rich new future at the Grand Stade in eastern Lyon.

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Cardiff City's old Ninian Park grandstand is demolished.

For more on the demolition of Ninian Park, see our stadium spotlight photo series from last week.

Photo credit: joncandy on Flickr, via the Pitch Invasion Photo Pool.

Related posts:

1. Stadium Spotlight: RIP Ninian Park
2. Photo Daily | September 2 | Celtic Park Tifo
3. Photo Daily | November 12 | Chicago Fire Megabandera

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Ninian Park, built in 1910, was the home of Cardiff City FC until earlier this year. The last ever game at Ninian Park was on April 25th, 2009, with Cardiff losing 3-0 to Ipswich Town.

Cardiff now play at Cardiff City Stadium, a 27,000 all-seater venue, and Ninian Park is now being torn to pieces to be replaced by a housing development, as this week's stadium spotlight shows.

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You might notice the cheeky slight change to our weekly stadium feature's name we've pluralised it as we are looking at more than one this week. We feature the renderings for the four new, impressive stadiums being built in Angola for the African Cup of Nations 2010, to be held in January.

Luanda
Capacity: 40,000
Stadium name: Estádio Cidade Universitária

Rendering of Estádio Cidade Universitária, Luanda's stadium under construction for the 2010 African Cup of Nations

Benguela
Stadium Name: Complexo da Sr.

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Big Story
After years of torturous ownership from the insulting and patronising Halls to the clueless and inept Mike Ashley it would seem no wonder that Newcastle fans would be interested in attempting to assert some control on the destiny of their club, especially given their huge numbers and seemingly endless willingness to pump cash in through ticket sales and merchandise.

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For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 9-rated stadium, the Bombonera in Buenos Aires click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.
8. Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti (El Monumental), Buenos Aires
Open since: 1938 (renovated 1978)
Capacity: 66,000
Tenant(s): River Plate, Argentine national team
World Cup hosts: 1978
Closest U. Click to continue reading...

Dalian Shide Stadium Rendering

Stadium Name: Dalian Shide Stadium
Location: Dalian Liaoning, China
Team: Dalian Shide F.C., China
Capacity: Unknown
Opening: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Architects: NBBJ Architects (US)

Background:
Dalian Shide F.

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I have a non-soccer question for my regulars: what was the best comedy movie you've seen so far this calendar year? Is it just me or do they not make enough comedies anymore? I think that is the fact, Jack...#1 - Today I called Fulham. Then I called the 'Nats. Then then 'Nats ran their own story. Urgh. Click to continue reading...

As everyone is well aware, Chicago's hopes of landing the 2016 Summer Olympic Games came crashing back to Earth last week with a thud. You can place the blame wherever you please, many people are, but you can't deny that it comes as a blow to our collective sporting ego. It's at this time that we must accept the fact that Rio simply put forth a superior bid and redouble our efforts to land the World Cup the world's largest sporting event in either 2018 or 2022.

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*As Greg noted, Highbury is now open as an apartment block.Having lived only a long ball from England's most historic stadium for most of the past decade, I've followed the metamorphosis closely, and I made sure I got on one of the last stadium tours to see it all before it fell. I'd been several times as a fan but I was amazed by the locker rooms, literally a museum piece like the rest of the Click to continue reading...

Welcome to our new Tuesday feature, stadium spotlight. This week, we look at the replacement for Lansdowne Road in Ireland.

Aviva Stadium location

Stadium Name: Aviva Stadium, more commonly known as New Lansdowne Road.

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With the arrival of the weekend, football fans across the world are returning to following their respective teams in another series of cracking fixtures. However, excitement is going to reach a whole different level next weekend, when the much awaited FIFA 10 releases in Australia (October 1) and Europe (October 2).

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We've all been there. It's the last minute and your team is clinging on to a vital, undeserved win away from home. You stand and bellow support for your lads with their backs against the walls, frantically throwing themselves in front of every ball headed toward the goal to break your heart.

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Many countries hoping to host a World Cup find themselves having to build new stadia in order to meet the strict FIFA standards. Japan, however, only need build an 80,000-seater stadium in which to hold the 2018 World Cup Final, and there are plans in place to do so. There is a problem, however - namely that the stadium will only be built if Tokyo wins its bid to host the 2016 Olympics. Click to continue reading...

The Wizards dropped game 2 of the East Coach roadie 1-0 tonight to D.C. United at RFK. The guys generated multiple quality opportunities in the first half, but we couldn't put one away. Next up is New York on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports.
· Kansas City is now 13-17-8 all-time against D. Click to continue reading...

I suppose the dream of a MLS club in Ottawa is over, for now at least. Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), along with their partner Ottawa Fury owner and CEO John Pugh, announced today they have applied for a United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) franchise.

The team would play and be based at a proposed new stadium at Lansdowne Park.

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Chris Wondolowski's late snap header earned San Jose all three points Saturday night in a game that had been dominated by the goalkeepers until that point. Hartman made five saves to reach 1200 career stops. He is the first goalkeeper in MLS history to reach that mark. Cannon made seven saves for the clean sheet. Click to continue reading...

I forgot to add this, a guide to Perm from the Football Supporters Federation.

On the ground:

The Zvezda Stadium was formerly known as the Lenin Komsomol stadium until the fall of the Soviet Union. Opened in 1969, like many other Russian stadia it is covered with artificial turf to help keep conditions playable during the Russian winter.

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From the press release: "The USA Bid Committee Inc. announced Thursday that Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium are one of 27 cities and 32 venues, down from 70 initial stadia in 52 cities, on the short list to be included in the United States' bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022. The USA Bid Committee will submit their bid to world soccer's governing body, Fédération Click to continue reading...

The Times had an interesting list of the top ten stadiums in the world last week, as judged by Tony Evans. Here's his top ten, with a photo of each what do you think of the list? It seems impossible for one man to have visited enough world stadia to have even made this judgment, and there doesn't appear to be any particular criteria being used no special focus on architecture, atmosphere, location or history, just a jumbled up mix of each randomly justifying each selection.

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It was supposed to refocus UEFA away from Western Europe the awarding of hosting rights to Ukraine alongside Poland for Euro 2012 seemed like a giant leap forward for Eastern European football when it was announced two years ago.

But now, it looks like all the decision has done is given UEFA its hardest decision for some time: whether to remove the hosting rights from Ukraine, as stalled preparations for Euro 2012 are shedding an unpleasant light on all of the problems the game and the nation's infrastructure has there.

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Today, U.S. Soccer launched a website for its bid to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. Visit http://www.gousabid.com, sign the petition, tell your friends and show you support for our country hosting the great sporting event in the world. Watch the widget on the right side of the page to find out how many people are supporting the cause. Click to continue reading...