Photo Daily | December 12 | Croatian Time-Warp
By Tom Dunmore • Dec 12th, 2007 • Category: Photography • 7 responsesAs we continue looking at Croatia this week, today we examine the decaying state of stadia there that reminds some of England twenty years ago, as our Croatian compadre discusses below. Here’s Stadion Maksimir, pictured as Arsenal played NK Dinamo in Zagreb last year.
Croatia (with proposed co-host Hungary) lost the bid for Euro 2012. Considerable and desperately needed renovations of the stadia were planned, but we will see nothing of that now. Renovations at Maksimir started already during president Tudjman. Unfortunately, and typically, most of the massive funds which were assigned ended up in the wrong pockets in a scandal that reached parliament.
Then, Tudjman died and since then, nothing has been resolved. Everybody agrees and knows that something must be done, but the fact that the best way to get a proper national stadium is to tear the existing one down and build a completely new one is a very touchy subject. Where will Dinamo play meanwhile? No national side playing in Zagreb? It’s a site of cultural heritage, the stadium where Croatian independence started with Zvonimir Boban’s defense of a Dinamo supporter, you want to tear that down? These are some of the questions raised by those delaying a decision.
Tom Dunmore is the editor of Pitch Invasion.
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The idea of a football ground as a genuine site of cultural heritage is a fascinating one, and one that is not in any way a stretch in this particular case.
The only other stone cold certainty in this category that comes to mind is the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.
Are there other candidates? Perhaps the Olimpiastadion in Berlin? In my mind, the significance of the ground needs to clearly transcend football.
There’s something about the place though. It shouldn’t work, but when those great big slabs of stand are full, bellowing the club’s name (the end: “DINAMO!”… the side: “ZAGREB!”) it’s pretty incredible. Especially when you’re one of about 350 Fulham fans huddled into a tiny pocket of the away end.
If it ever gets refurbished, I hope they retain the imposing character provided by the huge steep tiers of seating, seemingly suspended on a few big concrete poles.
Jon, are you referring to the Dianamo vs Fulham UEFA cup match in the fall of 2002….If you are, I know of what you speak.That Fulham pairing was the second match I had the pleasure to attend at Stadion Maksimir and my first time sitting(standing rather)in the north end, amongst the BBB.The place is definetally imposing, but that could certainly be transferred to a new stadium, with the help of The Bad Blue Boys and their enthusiastic participation. That being said,I dont think it should be torn down.Considering the pride stadium events bring to the Croatian population, its a shame the government hasnt made it a greater priority to bring it up to ‘national stadium’ status.
Yes, that was the very match. Brilliant performance from Fulham, but the Zagreb fans didn’t stop roaring their team on to the last.
I think they got loader after fulham took the leed. There was a questionable call against Dinamo. I recall the fans getting a bit tense. Then something blue flying over my head.Somebody had ripped one of the seats out and hurled it to the lower seats. The fellow who was hit looked pretty shook up. All his buddy said was “Whats wrong with you, we’re all on the same team”
Well, I think Maksimir is good enough for Dinamo, because he is just playing in Croatian league, and for European teams is to weak, but that is just my opinion.
Dinamo deserves better stadium not only because it is goo club, but because Croatia needs one big stadium for some sport or other manifestations