Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium

Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium
Koševo
Former names Stadion Koševo (1952–2004)
Location Betanija Ulica, Centar, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coordinates 43°52′26″N 18°24′31″E / 43.87389°N 18.40861°E / 43.87389; 18.40861Coordinates: 43°52′26″N 18°24′31″E / 43.87389°N 18.40861°E / 43.87389; 18.40861
Owner Sarajevo City Council
Operator Sarajevo City Council
Capacity 37,500[1]
Field size 105 x 68 m (114.8 x 74.4 yd)
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground 1946
Opened 1947
Renovated 1984
1996
Expanded 1984
Tenants
FK Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1984 Winter Olympics

Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium (Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian: Stadion Asim Ferhatović Hase / Стадион Асим Ферхатовић Хасе) is a multi-purpose stadium located in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also known as Koševo Stadium (Кошево) and Olympic Stadium. The stadium is owned by the city and is located in the Koševo neighborhood of Sarajevo. In 1984, the stadium hosted the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Currently, it is home to football club FK Sarajevo and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.

Construction

The stadium was opened in the year 1947. In 1984, it was reconstructed for the 1984 Winter Olympics, and is therefore often called Olympic Stadium (Olimpijski stadion / Олимпијски стадион). Now, it is officially called "Asim Ferhatović - Hase" since July 2004, after Asim Ferhatović, the legendary FK Sarajevo player who retired in 1967.

Today Asim Ferhatović Hase can seat 37,500 though attendance for concerts can be expanded to roughly 70,000, such as for U2's PopMart Tour in 1997 and Dino Merlin's Burek tour in 2004 and Hotel Nacional in 2015. It is also the home stadium of the national football side of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

Construction works started in 1947. The stadium was literally buried into a local hill thus merging with its natural surroundings. In 1950 a pitch and a tartan track were also added. The first international football match, between Yugoslavia and Turkey, was played in 1954.

In 1966, the stadium hosted an athletic championship for the Balkans. It was renovated for that occasion. New administration building was built, so were the new locker rooms and a restaurant. A modern scoreboard and new lighting were also provided.

The stadium was renovated for the third time after the Bosnian War, in 1998. By adding the chairs on every stand the seating capacity of the stadium was reduced to 37,500.

Throughout its football history, the stadium was usually a home ground for FK Sarajevo's and FK Zeljeznicar's international matches. Sarajevo audience witnessed many great matches against Europe's finest clubs such as Manchester United, Dynamo Kyiv, FC Basel, Hamburger SV, Newcastle United etc.

The stadium's largest attendance was recorded in 1981–82 league match between FK Sarajevo and FK Željezničar. Allegedly, about 60,000 people attended the game.

1984 Winter Olympics

On 7 February 1984, Asim Ferhatović Hase stadium hosted the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Winter Olympics for which it was thoroughly renovated and expanded. About 50,000 people attended the ceremonies. The west stand held 18,500 seating places at that time.[2]

Panoramic view of Koševo Stadium during 1984 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Notable events

International Football Matches

Notable Club Friendlies

Concerts

Other events

Pope Francis celebrating a mass

See also

References

External links

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