Metalist Stadium lights up Kharkiv

The new 41,000-capacity Metalist Stadium has opened its doors to hometown club FC Metalist Kharkiv, making it the second arena in Ukraine to be primed for UEFA EURO 2012 action.

Metalist owner Olexander Yaroslavskiy, who will also co-ordinate Kharkiv's preparations for the tournament, was the chief benefactor behind the refurbishment which has included the installation of a new pitch, an under-soil heating system, an LED scoreboards and an improved roof structure. Metalist have continued to play at the venue during the construction work, the completion of which was marked by the grand opening on 5 December.

President of the Football Federation of Ukraine, Grigoriy Surkis, was in attendance along with fellow dignitaries such as Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. "Kharkiv is second after Donetsk in Ukraine to get an arena which will be hosting EURO 2012 matches," said Surkis. "Thanks to consolidated effort from local business and authorities, Kharkiv citizens will see EURO 2012 matches live." A series of unique roof-support structures at the stadium have earned it the nickname 'The Spider Arena'.