GELREDOME
BREAKING NEW GROUND
a goalless draw between Slovenia and Norway on June 21.
We visited the GelreDome for the first time on 12 August,
2000 to face a Vitesse side then managed by former Dutch
international Ronald Koeman in a pre-season friendly. After
a goalless first-half, substitute Steffen Iversen netted six
minutes into the second period, striking a Darren Anderton
cross past goalkeeper Dragoslav J evric. Anderton doubled
our lead five minutes later, capitalising on some confusion
in the home side's backline. At the other end, Neil Sullivan
made a string of good saves, as we ran out 2-0 winners.
The Dutch national team returned to the GelreDome
on 6 October, 2001, claiming a 4-0 win over Andorra in a
2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier thanks to goals from Pierre
van Flooijdonk, Clarence Seedorf and a brace from Ruud
van Nistelrooy.
The GelreDome was one of the venues for the 2007
UEFA Under-21 Championship. England twice played at
the ground during the tournament, drawing 0-0 with the
Czech Republic on June 11, while goals from David Nugent
and Leroy Lita helped them to a 2-2 tie with Italy three
days later. The stadium also hosted Italy's 3-1 group stage
victory over the Czech Republic and Serbia's 2-0 triumph
over Belgium in the semi-final.
The GelreDome's capacity was diminished slightly after
Euro 2000 and with falling attendances for Vitesse games
over the last decade or so, just over 21,000 of a possible
25,500 seats are now made available on matchdays. The
stadium's four stands are all named after club legends
Edward Sturing(North Stand), Charly Bosveld (East),Theo
Bos (South) and Just Gobel (West).
The GelreDome doubles as an indoor arena with an
800-tonne roof which can be opened and closed at a rate
of 90cm a minute while a system of hydraulics can move
its pitch. Built on a platform a metre above the ground, it
can be moved out of the stadium in approximately three
and a half hours. When closed, the roof is able to fully block
out sunlight and absorb up to 50 decibels of noise, while it
also has a unique temperature control system.
Over 60 large scale events, as well as regular meetings
and conferences, take place at the GelreDome every year.
Just a week after the stadium opened in March 1998, the
Spice Girls played two concerts there as part of their'Spice
World' tour. Other performers to grace the venue since
include Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Madonna, Prince, Justin
Bieber, Paul McCartney, Shakira, AC/DC, Andre Rieu, The
Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.
Address: Batavierenweg25,6841 HN Arnhem, Netherlands
Opened: 1998
Current capacity: 21,248 (football capacity), 25,500 (seated capacity), 41,000 (concerts)
Record attendance (Vitesse fixture): 26,600 (Vitesse Arnhem v NAC Breda - March 25,1998)
Spurs record at the stadium: PI W1 DO L0 (friendly match only)
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
