Estádio Beira-Rio

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Beira-Rio
location = Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil


fullname = Estádio José Pinheiro Borba
nickname = Gigante da Beira-Rio
built = 1959
opened = April 6 1969
seating_capacity = 56,000
record attendance = 106,554
tenants = Sport Club Internacional
dimensions = 108 x 72 m

Beira-Rio is Sport Club Internacional's stadium, located on the Rio Guaíba shoreline in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Its official name is "Estadio José Pinheiro Borba" – the name of an ageing Portuguese engineer who supervised the building of the stadium for many years, thus becoming the biggest accomplisher of his own dream. Unfortunately, he died before seeing it complete.

The stadium is nicknamed Beira-Rio (literally: river bank) because it is located along the margins of Rio Guaíba.

Estádio Beira-Rio replaced Internacional's previous stadium, called Estádio dos Eucaliptos.

History

In 1956, councilman Ephraim Pinheiro Cabral presented a document to the government that included a donation of part of the Guaíba, to be reclaimed for Sport Club Internacional.

Estádio Beira-Rio was constructed with the help of the club's enthusiasts and supporters. They contributed bringing bricks, concrete and iron.

During the sixties, Estádio Beira-Rio was ironically called "Bóia Cativa", since it seemed that never it would be concluded, especially since those were difficult times for Internacional on the field.

The stadium's debut was played on April 6, 1969, when Internacional beat Portugal's Benfica 2–1. The first goal ever scored in the Stadium was done by Internacional's Claudiomiro.

The stadium's attendance record currently stands at 106,554, set on June 17, 1972 when a Rio Grande do Sul All-Stars team and Brazil's national team played a 3–3 draw.

The stadium is about to undergo restoration and developments that would make it fit to host matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. An official video outlining the project is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t01Boc5HfU4.

References

*"Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro", Volume 2 - Lance, Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A, 2001.
* [http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=4&setor=29 Sport Club Internacional Official web site]

External links

* [http://www.internacional.com.br/ Internacional Official Website]