Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium, Kiev

The Lobanovsky (formerly “Dynamo”) Stadium is a home ground of prominent Dynamo Kiev football club. In 2002 it was named after the club's long-time manager, celebrated Ukrainian coach, Valery Lobanovsky. The stadium was built in 1934 and over the years has hosted an enormous number of national and international fixtures: cups, championships, friendlies, etc. During World War II, the stadium was reduced to ruin after several bombs exploded in its vicinity, seriously damaging the structure. In 1956, the stadium was reconstructed and all its facilities and administrative buildings refurbished. In the 1990s, another reconstruction took place, this time to transform the multi-sport arena into a football-only stadium. Originally, apart from a football pitch, it had athletic tracks, tennis courts, basketball courts, gyms and pools. The 1990s plan had the athletic tracks removed and the pitch enlarged to 100 by 75 metres in order to meet the UEFA standard. In 2001, a new fitness suite and a 25 metre pool were added. Today, the stadium seats over 16,000 spectators and has 29 sectors. In accordance with the latest reconstruction plan, by 2012 FIFA World Cup the stadium should have 30,000 seats.