De Meer Stadion
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| Location | Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Opened | December 9, 1934 |
| Closed | 1996 |
| Owner | AFC Ajax |
| Surface | Grass |
| Architect | Daan Roodenburgh |
| Capacity | 19,000 |
| Tenants | |
| AFC Ajax (Eredivisie) (1934-1996) | |
De Meer is the name of the former stadium of AFC Ajax. It was opened in 1934 as a result of the club's former stadium being too small. Upon completion, it could hold 22,000 spectators, but accommodating up to 29,500 at its maximum. Increasing safety requirements gradually reduced this number to 19,000.
However, over time, as Ajax's popularity and success grew, the De Meer proved to be too small – for a number of years, Ajax played their big European games at the Olympisch Stadion, before the opening of the purpose built Amsterdam ArenA in 1996.
Five international matches of the Dutch national football team were played in the stadium, and all of them were won by the hosts, the first one being on August 22, 1973: a qualifying match for the 1974 FIFA World Cup against Iceland (5-0). The last one, played on March 25, 1992, was a friendly against Yugoslavia: 2-0.
Following the club's departure, the De Meer was demolished to make way for a housing development. However, the area is commemorated by having the new streets named after famous football stadia from around the world. The centerspot was recreated cosmeticly as the real centerspot was built over.
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