Stade Bollaert-Delelis

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Stade Bollaert-Delelis
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Full name Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Location Lens, France
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Capacity 38,223 (after renovation)
Construction
Opened 1933
Renovated 2014-2015
Tenants
RC Lens

Stade Bollaert-Delelis (French pronunciation: ​[stad bɔlaʁt dəlelis]) is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens. The stadium's capacity is 41,229 – about 4,000 more than the city's population. The stadium was originally named after Félix Bollaert, a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens, who was anxious to promote the development of sports clubs in the city. Construction began in 1931, though Bollaert died shortly before the stadium's inauguration. It was renamed Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2012 after the death of André Delelis, a politician who served as the Minister of Commerce under President François Mitterrand.

History

The stadium has hosted matches in the following major international tournaments:

Architecture

The renovated stadium.

The stadium is constructed in the English style with four separate stands dedicated respectively to:

  • Henri Trannin, native of Bully-les-Mines, Goalkeeper at the club for 18 years, sports director for Lens from 1952 to 1956, passing away in July 1974; it was dedicated on 4 December 1976
  • Tony Marek, former player and coach, international in the 50's
  • Élie Delacourt, former fans' group president;
  • Max Lepagnot, former president of the district of Artois.

All parts of the stadium contain seating. However, most supporters in the Marek, being a side stand, keep standing during the games as it is considered the kop and are considered as the most fervent supporters in the stadium, which makes the stadium different from most of the other stadiums, as the most fervent fans tend to usually sit behind the nets.

Events

1984 European Football Championship

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
13 Jun 1984  Belgium 2-0  Yugoslavia Group A
17 Jun 1984  West Germany 2-1  Romania Group B

1998 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the venues of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and held the following matches:

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
12 Jun 1998  Saudi Arabia 0-1  Denmark Group C
14 Jun 1998  Jamaica 1-3  Croatia Group H
21 Jun 1998  Germany 2-2  Yugoslavia Group F
24 Jun 1998  Spain 6-1  Bulgaria Group D
26 Jun 1998  Colombia 0-2  England Group G
28 Jun 1998  France 1-0  Paraguay Round of 16

1999 Rugby World Cup

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
20 Oct 1999  Ireland 24-28  Argentina Play-off Stage

2007 Rugby World Cup

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
08 Sep 2007  England 28-10  United States Group A
22 Sep 2007  South Africa 30-25  Tonga Group A
26 Sep 2007  Georgia 30-0  Namibia Group D

2016 European Football Championship

In May 2011, the stadium has been designated to host the 2016 European Football Championship. To be renovated, the stadium will be closed during the 2014-2015 season.

Date Time (CET) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
11 June 2016 15:00  Albania v   Switzerland Group A
16 June 2016 15:00  England v  Wales Group B
21 June 2016 21:00  Czech Republic v  Turkey Group D
25 June 2016 21:00 Winner Group D v 3rd Place Group B/E/F Round of 16

Other uses

The France national team has played eight matches at the stadium without defeat. Lille played two UEFA Champions League campaigns there when their own stadium was deemed inadequate, in (2001-02 and 2006-07). It hosted the Johnny Hallyday concert in 2009 and a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering in 2006, which created controversy. The stadium is the setting for a scene in the movie Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, shot during a match between Lens and Nice in April 2007. We hear "Les corons" sung by the public at the end of halftime song.

In 2012 the Stadium held a rugby League match between France and Wales as part of an Autumn International Series match. 11,278 fans came to watch the game.

External links