Blagoj Istatov Stadium is a football stadium in Strumica, North Macedonia. With the last reconstruction in 2017 the stadium has a capacity of 9,200 seats, and it is a third-class field in accordance with UEFA standards. It meets the conditions for a high-ranking competition and is the second such stadium in the country, after the Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje. It is the home ground of FK Belasica, FK Brera Strumica and FK Tiverija.
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| Former names | Stadion Mladost |
|---|---|
| Location | Strumica, North Macedonia |
| Owner | FK Belasica |
| Capacity | 9,200 |
| Field size | 105 x 68 meters |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | LED |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Expanded | 2005, 2017 |
| Tenants | |
| FK Belasica FK Brera Strumica FK Tiverija | |
History edit
The stadium was built in 1950 with the original capacity of 6,000.
In 2005, Joseph S. Blatter unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion at the Mladost Stadium in Strumica. The Strumica GOAL Project was approved to finance the improvement of the technical centre and stadium. Today the facility boasts several modern training pitches, modern floodlighting, modern dressing rooms and modern conference room underground on Mladost Stadium newly build Stand . FIFA and UEFA gave Mladost Stadium the green light for international games back in 2004.[1][2]
In September 2015, at the stadium was played the match under the floodlights between FK Belasica and Akademija Pandev in front of 5,000 spectators.[3]
In 2017 the stadium was reconstructed, with the reconstruction including two new covered stands Eastern and Western with a capacity of 1,200 new seating areas, and a complete change of the seats of the south and north stands. New TV Platforms for a complete broadcast of a qualification match in accordance with the requirements of UEFA. New LED panel screen, and upgraded flood lighting.
International fixtures edit
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Score | Att. | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (2009–present) | |||||
| 10 February 2009 | Friendly |  Canada
|
3–0 | 3,500 | [1] |
| 5 September 2017 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |  Albania
|
1–1 | 6,000 | [2] |
| 9 October 2017 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |  Liechtenstein
|
4–0 | 4,518 | [3] |
References edit
- ^ "Blatter opens soccer stadium in Macedonia". Archived from the original on 2013-01-26.
- ^ "FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter kicks the ball at the opening ceremony in Strumica".
- ^ "Струмичкото градско дерби од Третата лига под рефлектори и пред 5.000 гледачи!" (in Macedonian). Ekipa.mk. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.