New Shakhtar stadium opens doors

FC Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu described the Donbass Arena as "one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe" after witnessing the opening of the club's glittering new 50,000-seat home this weekend.

Lucescu pride
Construction of the ultra-modern stadium has been completed just over three years after work began, and the ambitious project has been declared an unmitigated success. "I was a witness five years ago when [Shakhtar owner] Rinat Akhmetov decided to build the best stadium in Europe," Lucescu said. "Even so, what I'm seeing now is beyond my expectations. The Shakhtar fans, players and coaches should all be very proud. Our stadium is one of the most beautiful and user-friendly in Europe."

Eye-catching design
The stadium catches the eye with its unusual, stylish design and looks particularly spectacular when lit up at night. The front section consists of one huge glass wall, 24,000 square metres in size, with two giant screens installed inside the ground. While the complex is multifunctional and includes such facilities as restaurants, bars, shops and a health club, another of the most practical features is the infrared heating system which is capable of increasing the temperature inside the arena by up to 14 degrees celsius.

Akhmetov delight
Journalists will also be able to work in excellent conditions in the new press box, which can accommodate as many as 1,000 people, yet Akhmetov insists the fans will be the principal beneficiaries. "Our main goal is to bring pleasure to the people who visit the Donbass Arena," explained the club's owner. "When we won the UEFA Cup [in May], I said that our fans had played a big part. Without them we wouldn't have had the drive and the emotion to win games."

European target
Akhmetov added: "I'm not saying we'll win the Champions League straight away, but I promise the fans that we'll work 24 hours a day to achieve that target." Shakhtar, who previously played at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium, have the possibility of winning more continental silverware this season in the UEFA Europa League. They begin their group stage campaign away to Club Brugge KV on 17 September, before playing their first match at the Donbass Arena nine days later in the league against FC Obolon Kyiv.