Estádio da Luz

The Estádio da Luz (pron. IPA //), officially named the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and commonly mistranslated as Stadium of Light, is a football stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, the home of SL Benfica. It is also called A Catedral ("The Cathedral") by Benfica's supporters.

Luz is actually the area of Lisbon in which the Estádio da Luz stands and the word 'luz' happens to also mean 'light'. Hence the misnomer 'Stadium of Light' in English usage. The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England may well have been inspired by this Lisbon 'nickname', though it has other well established reasons for bearing the name.

It hosted several matches in the 2004 European Football Championship, including the final. The previous Benfica stadium (also called "Estádio da Luz" and one of the largest stadiums in the world with 120,000 seats) was demolished and the new one was built for the tournament with a capacity of 65,400. The architect, Damon Lavelle, designed the stadium to use as much natural light as possible. It is classified by UEFA as a 5 star stadium, allowing it to host major European cup finals. The original Estádio da Luz, opened in 1954, hosted the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup final before a crowd of well under 120,000, its absolute capacity in those years. Before that final it also hosted the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final held in Portugal with an impressive attendance of 130,000.

Name: Estadio da Luz (Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica) Inauguration: 25 October 2003 First match: Benfica-Nacional Montevideo 2-1 Capacity: 65,000 seats Address: Av. General Norton De Matos 1500, Lisboa Architect: Damon Lavelle

The famous old Estadio Da Luz may have seen the likes of Eusébio and Rui Costa in its day. It may have seen championship after championship during the glory days of the 50's and 60's, but as the famous old ground began fall into disrepair, so it seemed did the hopes of the Benfica team that played within. Without a trophy in years, financial problems and some dismal performances at home and in Europe became the story of the 1990's. Benfica desperately needed to stop the rot!

The Tears

When the old Estadio da Luz that could hold 120,000 came down many Benfica fans wept through the pain, that they would never see the stadium again. Many Benfica fans went far enough to stop the bulldosers. One Benfica fan said even if the staduim falls we'll get another one because Benfica will live on, and we still have the Memories of Eusebio, Karel Poborsky, Michael Manniche, Zoran Filipovic, and all the great players who graced the pitch with their talent and heart.

2000

Portugal was selected as the host of the 2004 European Championships, and as Portugals club, Benfica were a choice to be one of the sides to whose stadium would host the event. There was talk of redeveloping the stadium but finally the decision was made to dismantle the "Catedral" and start from scratch. In October 2003, the stadium opened to a sell out crowd as Benfica took on Nacional Montevideo of Uruguay in an exhibition match. Benfica had finally moved into the 21st century and into a home befitting the clubs history and prestige.

Benfica return

Immediately, Benfica's aspirations seemed revived. In its first season, Benfica went on to conquer the Taça de Portugal (The cup of Portugal). The Encarnados' first trophy in 8 years came after beating an impressive FC Porto side 2-1. Porto were managed by a certain Jose Mourinho. Simao was the hero in Extra Time as Benfica battled back from a goal down to claim the Taça. In the stadium's second season, the team recaptured the title of Champions on Portugal after 11 long years. The new stadium was the venue for a historic 1-0 victory over eternal rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal before a 1-1 draw away atBoavista sealed the championship. Following the final whistle, thousands of fans packed into the stadium to celebrate the campeonato (Championship). Benfica had returned!

The all new Estadio Da Luz. A modern structure that can go down as one of the finest modern sports facilities in Europe with UEFA awarding it five stars. After its opening on the 25th of October 2003, it went on to host the final of Euro 2004 as well as hosting some of the other tournaments highlights. Most notably for the host nation, a penalty shoot out win over England in the quarter finals.

Architect Damon Lavelle designed the stadium to focus on light and transparency, offering an incentive to name the stadium "Estadio da Luz" (meaning stadium of light in Portuguese) as the original stadium was named after the neighbourhood the old ground was built on. The polycarbonate roof of the stadium allows the sun's rays to penetrate it, lighting the stadium. The roof, which is supported by tie beams of four steel arches, seems to float on the underlying tribunes. The arches measure 43 metres in height and help to define the look of the stadium having been shaped to be similar to the wavy profile of the 3 tiers of the stadium.

Famous Results

2004

Superliga - SL Benfica 1-0 Sporting C.P. A late goal, attributed to Luisão despite Sporting's goalkeeper apparently fumbling the ball into his own net, handed Benfica a win that ensured they would go into the final match day with their fate in their own hands.

2005

UEFA Champions League - S.L. Benfica 2-1 Manchester United. Benfica went into the final match of the UEFA Champions League group stages needing a win against group favourites Manchester United. Benfica had never previously beaten the Reds of Manchester, not even during the days of Eusébio. Benfica's chances of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League for the first time in its modern format seemed limited after Paul Scholes gave Man Utd a 6th minute lead. But goals from Geovanni and a deflected shot from Beto saw Benfica come back to claim a famous victory. In the same year Greece won the European championships by beating hosts Portugal in the final with a goal from Angelos Charisteas. The stadium since then has lived in Greek folklore where they won their first ever tournament.

2006

UEFA Champions League - S.L. Benfica 1-0 Liverpool After being drawn against reigning European Champions, Liverpool, no one expected Benfica to pose much threat. Central defender, Luisao, sprung a surprise when he headed in a winner 6 minutes from time to see Benfica win 1-0. Benfica won the return leg 2-0 to claim a famous aggregate victory.

2006

Superliga - S.L. Benfica 1-0 F.C. Porto After ending their 14 year wait for a victory away at Porto, Benfica needed to beat their eternal rivals once again to maintain their challenge for the Championship. Laurent Robert scored his first league goal for Benfica with a long range, bending free kick. Benfica hung on to claim a famous double.

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Estádio da Luz

The Tears

2000

Benfica return

2004

2005

2006

2006