196 days until the first whistle of European Championships 2008 is blown. But 'til we do eat some sausages Emmental Swiss or Austrian watching these unforgettable matches, there are many things to do on the final stages Qualification for the tournament final and self-organization. Anyway, the only things that remain is the dream we will be there and follow all the new euro in 2008. From the 7th to the 29th of June there will only time to celebrate.
In the opening match on June the 7th, along with 5 other games, including a semifinal between them, Basel will be the primary display events Switzerland. That's why organizers chose a claim to show the involvement of the city and the region for good organization of the final tournament: "Basel. Beyond 90 minutes.
But what do we know at this point about to start Euro 2008? Well, here are some useful data which will certainly help us get to know our hosts were ahead.
Stadium Information
Name: St Jakob Park
Inauguration: April 25, 1954
First match: Switzerland-Germany
Capacity: 42.200
Pitch dimensions: 105 * 68
Club information
Club: FC Basel
Inauguration: 1893
Mailing Address:
FC Basel 1893
Gellertstrasse 235
4052 Basel
Tel: 061 / 375 10 10
Fax: 061 / 375 10 11
Directions
Car:
Leave the A2 motorway exit St Jakob. The stadium is located next to the A2.
Tram:
Line 14 (from downtown)
Match schedule for Euro 2008:
Match 1 – Switzerland-Czech Republic, Sat. 7th Jun 18:00
Match 10 – Switzerland-Turkey, Wed 11 Jun 20:45
Match 17 – Switzerland-Portugal, 15th dim. Jun 20:45
Match 25 – Quarterfinal 1 Winner group A-Runner-up Group B, Thu 19th Jun 20:45
Game 27 – Quarterfinal 3 Winner group C-Runner-up Group D, Sat 21st Jun 20:45
Match 29 – Semifinal 1 Winner 25 – Winner 26, Wed 25 Jun 20:45
St. Jakob Park
St. Jakob Park (St James Park in English) is the stadium where FC Basel play. "Joggeli" as it is nicknamed, has a current capacity of 42,200 seats. After demolishing the old stadium in December 1998, it lasted 26 months until that they had this new jewel. It was designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, two internationally recognized architects for their fantastic work and creativity (see Tate Modern in London or the new Olympic Stadium in Beijing). The stage is divided into four blocks, ABC and D, each block is a whole side of the stadium. St. Jakob Park is a relatively new stadium, construction began December 13, 1998. The first game played in it was March 15, 2001. The "clean Genossenschaft SJP" officially the stadium, the stadium itself is managed by "Basel United". The stadium cost around 220 million Swiss francs (130 million euros) build. In the stadium has 32 stores spread over 3 different floors. Over there are also 2 restaurants within the stadium, they are "Restaurant UNO" and "Hattrick Sports Bar". The stadium has a parking for 680 cars on 2 floors, 1,500 parking spaces, but to wait outside. The arena multifunctional sport is visited by 850,000 people each year for sporting and cultural events. Other quality amenities: room gym, shopping mall, a retirement home with over 100 apartments.
The stadium has been awarded 4 stars by UEFA, which is the larger amount of stars that can be attributed to a stadium of this size.
In 2006 there was a riot after a match between FC Basel and FC Zurich. The hooligan incident (also called "Disgrace of Basel") took place May 13 after a league match which determines the between the two teams. FC Zurich scored in the closing minutes, and the goal ended the dream of Basel win the Super League for the third straight time. This incident resulted in property damage and is considered one of the worst of these incidents involving violent hooliganism in Swiss sport.
However this should not lead us through this displeasured and solitary presence and put our trust in the sense of fairness and honesty in Switzerland. After all, they are number 1 in banking systems and good watches, right? I'm sure we can easily confide in their work.
Basel-City
Basel is the center of north-western Switzerland, bordering Germany and France, and located in the heart of central Europe, with a population of 165,000 inhabitants (December 2006). Despite its social dynamism and innovative economic strength, Basel is a lively border town, with a strong traditional base rooted in history that can be experienced not only at its carnival, the carnival of Basel. The historic urban landscape and architecture modern part of this living in Basel.
Hotels in the Basel region like to spoil their guests. Hotel Les Trois Rois on the Rhine is one of the oldest hotels in Europe and at the same time, address the most splendid in Basel. Other hotels 5 stars are the Euler, Hilton, Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel, and Radisson SAS.
Among the 4 star hotels are the Basel, Europe, Merian am Rhein Gotthard, and Victoria.
A 3 star hotel is the Teufelhof, which includes Kunsthotel (Artists Hotel), with eight rooms constantly reshaped by various artists, and Galeriehotel (Gallery Hotel), where artists exhibit their works.
The Hotel Au Violon is an interesting representative of 2 star hotels, opened in 1999 in the former prison Lohnhof whose forty cells have been converted into twenty simple, attractive rooms.
Hostel of the city in a former silk factory, ribbon on the Rhine, is considered one of the most attractive. The campsite is located in Waldhort Reinach, only 7 kilometers from the city.
About the Author:
Alexandru Necula is a young journalist from Romania who writes on his blog euro2008journal.com about Uefa Euro 2008.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Euro 2008 | St. Jakob Park Basel
