Estádio Independência
Encyclopedia
The Estádio Raimundo Sampaio, usually known as Estádio Independência, is in the neighborhood of Horto in Belo Horizonte
, Minas Gerais
, Brazil
and was opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup
held in Brazil that year. Initially with capacity for 30,000 people, currently has capacity for 25,000 people. It belonged to the defunct Sete de Setembro Futebol Clube, which is why the stadium is called Independence (the name of the team, September 7, is Brazil's Independence Day). It is currently leased by América Futebol Clube
, who play their games at this stadium. Estádio Independência is the second most important stadium in Belo Horizonte, only behind Mineirão
. Its formal name honors Raimundo Sampaio, a former chairman of Sete de Setembro.
The stadium construction started in 1947, in preparation for the 1950 FIFA World Cup
. The stadium inaugural match was the World Cup match between Yugoslavia
and Switzerland
, won by the former by 3-0, and played on June 25, 1950. The first stadium goal was scored by Tomasevic. One of the most famous upsets in FIFA
World Cup history was played here, the 1-0 upset
by the United States
over England
at that 1950 World Cup.
After the construction of Mineirão
, ownership of the stadium was transferred by the Minas Gerais government to Sete de Setembro. The Estádio Independência has been managed by América Mineiro
since 1989.
Originally the stadium belonged to the Government of Minas Gerais, but with the inauguration of Mineirão in 1965, became the property of the club Sete de Setembro (reason the stadium is popularly known as Independence, according to the historical date), but with the demise of this club, in 1989 América rented the stadium, keeping it under their administration for a period of 30 years, in a system of leasing. At this stage América won Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in 1997 in the confrontation against Vila Nova-GO and in a match against Náutico the final phase of 18,900 paying fans attended. The América also won at that stage, the Brazilian Championship Series C in 2009.
Bleachers on game day America. In 1999, In partnership with Atlético, América built a metal structure grandstand, increasing the stadium capacity to about 30,000 people, plus an electronic scoreboard. But for lack of security, such grandstand was deactivated shortly thereafter. The end of the partnership also resulted in the removal of the score. Independência already served as a venue for music festivals, such as Pop Rock Brazil and the Axé Brazil.
The attendance record is 32,721 spectators, set in the match between Minas Gerais and Guanabara (Carioca), won by Minas Gerais 1-0, and played on January 27, 1963, it was the first final match of the 1962 Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais
, played by state teams.
, Cruzeiro
and América Mineiro
while Mineirão
undergoes renovations to host the 2014 World Cup. During the stadium's renovation, all three Belo Horizonte teams play in the Arena do Jacaré
, located in nearby city Sete Lagoas
. The estimated delivery date is December 2011.
Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and was opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
held in Brazil that year. Initially with capacity for 30,000 people, currently has capacity for 25,000 people. It belonged to the defunct Sete de Setembro Futebol Clube, which is why the stadium is called Independence (the name of the team, September 7, is Brazil's Independence Day). It is currently leased by América Futebol Clube
América Futebol Clube (MG)
América Futebol Clube is a traditional Brazilian football team from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded on April 30, 1912....
, who play their games at this stadium. Estádio Independência is the second most important stadium in Belo Horizonte, only behind Mineirão
Mineirão
Mineirão , officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã...
. Its formal name honors Raimundo Sampaio, a former chairman of Sete de Setembro.
History
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. The stadium inaugural match was the World Cup match between Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
and Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
, won by the former by 3-0, and played on June 25, 1950. The first stadium goal was scored by Tomasevic. One of the most famous upsets in FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
World Cup history was played here, the 1-0 upset
England v United States (1950)
On 29 June 1950, at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the United States defeated England 1–0 in a group match. This unexpected result has led to the match being described as the "Miracle on Grass", in reference to the 1980 Miracle on Ice, in which the US ice hockey team beat the Soviet Union. The...
by the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
over England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at that 1950 World Cup.
After the construction of Mineirão
Mineirão
Mineirão , officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã...
, ownership of the stadium was transferred by the Minas Gerais government to Sete de Setembro. The Estádio Independência has been managed by América Mineiro
América Futebol Clube (MG)
América Futebol Clube is a traditional Brazilian football team from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded on April 30, 1912....
since 1989.
Originally the stadium belonged to the Government of Minas Gerais, but with the inauguration of Mineirão in 1965, became the property of the club Sete de Setembro (reason the stadium is popularly known as Independence, according to the historical date), but with the demise of this club, in 1989 América rented the stadium, keeping it under their administration for a period of 30 years, in a system of leasing. At this stage América won Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in 1997 in the confrontation against Vila Nova-GO and in a match against Náutico the final phase of 18,900 paying fans attended. The América also won at that stage, the Brazilian Championship Series C in 2009.
Bleachers on game day America. In 1999, In partnership with Atlético, América built a metal structure grandstand, increasing the stadium capacity to about 30,000 people, plus an electronic scoreboard. But for lack of security, such grandstand was deactivated shortly thereafter. The end of the partnership also resulted in the removal of the score. Independência already served as a venue for music festivals, such as Pop Rock Brazil and the Axé Brazil.
The attendance record is 32,721 spectators, set in the match between Minas Gerais and Guanabara (Carioca), won by Minas Gerais 1-0, and played on January 27, 1963, it was the first final match of the 1962 Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais
Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais was a Brazilian football tournament contested by state teams. It was Brazilian's most important football competition until the 1950s...
, played by state teams.
Renovation
In 2010, Independência was demolished apart from its dressing rooms, and a brand new stadium is being built in its place to host the games of Atlético MineiroClube Atlético Mineiro
Clube Atlético Mineiro , are a Brazilian football club based in Belo Horizonte, the oldest in the city. Founded in 1908, they play in the Campeonato Mineiro and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão. Atlético Mineiro have been Brazilian champions once, state winners a record 40 times and...
, Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...
and América Mineiro
América Futebol Clube (MG)
América Futebol Clube is a traditional Brazilian football team from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, founded on April 30, 1912....
while Mineirão
Mineirão
Mineirão , officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã...
undergoes renovations to host the 2014 World Cup. During the stadium's renovation, all three Belo Horizonte teams play in the Arena do Jacaré
Arena do Jacaré
The Estádio Joaquim Henrique Nogueira, or Nogueirão, also nicknamed Arena do Jacaré , is a soccer stadium located in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais state, it seats 25,000 people...
, located in nearby city Sete Lagoas
Sete Lagoas
Sete Lagoas is a city in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The municipal area is 537 km² while the population was 217,506 in 2007.-Location:...
. The estimated delivery date is December 2011.