Curva
Curva [ˈkurva] (plural: curve [ˈkurve]) is an Italian term or name for curved stands of seating located at sports stadiums, particularly in Italy; so named, originally, due to their curved or bending shape. The curva plays an integral part in the culture of Ultras and European football.
Composition
The majority of stands referred to as a "curva" are located behind the goals in their respective stadiums and contain the most vocal supporters within them, often known as Ultras. They are usually curved in shape, in some form whether minor or major, often due to the presence of a running track around the pitch.[1] The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza provides an example of two prominent stands referred to as "curva", "Curva Nord" and "Curva Sud", which contain only minor curves at their corners, while the Stadio Olimpico provides an example of two completely curved stands. A curva may extend from one corner flag to another or be located centrally behind the goal, bordered by two separate corner sections for ticketing or organizational purposes.[2]
Significance
Being home to the most openly passionate supporters in a stadium, the curva is usually the focal point of a club's support. It is often the scene of dramatic choreographed displays of support and occasionally, disapproval for a team or club.[3] These displays often take on an importance of their own, particularly in games involving rivals where both sets of supporters aim to outdo each other.[4] In certain countries, particularly those where sports clubs and supporters are extremely reflective of the local culture, the curva can become quite politicized in nature.[4] Therefore, it's not uncommon for a curva to be split into individual factions or groups, either solely or partially, based on politics, and for one group to hold significant control of the curva and its inhabitants on match days. Ultras groups within a curva often benefit from this degree of relative uniformity, when there are issues regarding supporters' rights and the commercialization of sports and football in particular.
Locations
Austria
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz Stadion | SK Rapid Wien | Block West |
Bulgaria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stadion Grbavica | Željezničar | Sektor C/Jug |
| Stadion Asim Ferhatović Hase | Sarajevo | North stand|Tribina Vedran Puljić |
| Stadion Bilino polje | Čelik Zenica | Jug |
| Stadion HŠK Zrinjski | Zrinjski Mostar | Istok/Stajanje |
China
| Stadium | Club | Stand | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSUFT East-Garden Stadium | Hunan Billows | Curva Nord | Bad Billows Boys |
Croatia
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stadion Maksimir | Dinamo Zagreb | North Stand / Sjever |
| Stadion Poljud | HNK Hajduk Split | North Stand / Sjever |
| Stadion Kantrida | HNK Rijeka | West Stand / Zapad |
| Stadion Gradski Vrt | NK Osijek | SouthEast/East Stand /Jugoistok/Istok |
| Stadion Alde Drosine | NK Istra 1961 | North Stand / Sjever |
Cyprus
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| GSP Stadium | AC Omonia Nicosia | North Stand/Gate-9 |
| GSP Stadium | APOEL FC | South Stand/AU79 |
| Tsirion Stadium | AEL Limassol | East Stand/Gate-3 |
| Tsirion Stadium | Apollon Limassol | West Stand/Gate-1 |
| Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium | Anorthosis Famagusta FC | South Stand/Maxhtec |
Denmark
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Energi Nord Arena | Aalborg BK | Vesttribunen |
| Blue Water Arena | Esbjerg fB | Nordvestkurve |
| Viborg Stadion | Viborg FF | Sydtribunen |
| Brøndby Stadion | Brøndby IF | Sydsiden (earlier Faxetribunen) |
| Parken | FC Copenhagen | Sektion 12 |
| TRE-FOR Park | Odense BK | Stiften |
| Atletion | Aarhus GF | Speakers Corner |
Egypt
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo International Stadium | Al Ahly SC | Ultras Ahlawy/Talta Chimal |
| Cairo International Stadium | Zamalek SC | Ultras White Knights/Curva sud |
Finland
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Helsinki Olympic Stadium | Finland national football team | Pohjoiskaarre |
| Sonera Stadium | HJK Helsinki | Klubipääty |
Malta
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Ta' Qali Stadium | Valletta F.C. | Ultras Beltin 999 |
| Ta' Qali Stadium | Birkirkara F.C. | Ultras Birkirkara 97 |
| Hibernians Stadium | Hibernians F.C. | Paola Boys Hibs Ultras 07 |
| Sirens Stadium | Sirens F.C. | Sirens Ultras 13 |
| Centenary Stadium | Marsa F.C. | Ultras Marsin 10 |
| Ta' Qali Stadium | Sliema Wanderers F.C. | Sliema Ultras 2008 |
| Centenary Stadium | Tarxien Rainbows F.C. | Tarxien Ultras 2014 |
| Gozo Stadium | Xewkija Tigers F.C. | 12th Tiger Supporters Club |
| Gozo Stadium | Nadur Youngsters F.C. | White Force Nadur Ultras |
| Gozo Stadium | Ghajnsielem F.C. | Black Pride 2007 |
| Gozo Stadium | Xaghra United F.C. | Blue Warriors Xaghra Ultras |
| Gharb Stadium | Gharb Rangers F.C. | West Blue Army est.2013 |
| Luxol Stadium | Melita F.C. | Melita Supporters Club |
France
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stade Armand Cesari | SC Bastia | Est/Petrignani |
| Stade Chaban-Delmas | Girondins de Bordeaux | Virage Sud |
| Stade Vélodrome | Olympique de Marseille | Virage Nord/Sud |
| Parc des Princes | Paris Saint-Germain FC | Kop of Boulogne/Virage Auteuil |
Germany
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Signal Iduna Park | Borussia Dortmund | Südtribüne/Gelbe Wand |
| Olympiastadion/Allianz Arena | Bayern München | Südkurve |
| Volkswagen Arena | Wolfsburg | Nordkurve |
| Commerzbank-Arena | Eintracht Frankfurt | Nordwestkurve |
| Fritz-Walter-Stadion | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | Westkurve |
| Max Morlock Stadion | 1. FC Nürnberg | Nordkurve |
| AWD-Arena | Hannover 96 | Nordkurve |
| Weserstadion | Werder Bremen | Ostkurve |
| Olympiastadion | Hertha BSC | Ostkurve Hertha BSC |
| Veltins-Arena | FC Schalke 04 | Nordkurve |
| Borussia Park | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Nordkurve |
| BayArena | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Nordkurve |
Greece
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Apostolos Nikolaidis | Panathinaikos F.C. | Gate 13 |
| Karaiskaki Stadium | Olympiacos F.C. | Gate 7 |
| Toumba Stadium | PAOK F.C. | Gate 4 |
| Nikos Goumas Stadium | AEK Athens F.C. | Gate 21 |
| Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium | Aris F.C. | Gate 3 |
| Kaftanzoglio Stadium | Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. | Autonomous Gate 10 |
| Alkazar Stadium | AEL 1964 F.C. | Gate 1 |
| Genti Koule | OFI Crete | Snakes Gate 4 |
Indonesia
Italy
Malaysia
| Stadium | Team/Club | Stand | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil | Malaysia National Football Team | Curva Ultras Malaya 07 | Ultras Malaya |
| Shah Alam Stadium | Selangor FA | Green Curva Nord | ultraSel |
| Stadium Perak | Perak FA | Silvermania Curva | Silver State Ultras |
| Stadium Negeri | Sarawak FA | Curva Distrixtigabelas | GB-13 |
| Darul Makmur Stadium | Pahang FA | Curva Sebelas | Elephant Army |
| Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium | Johor Darul Ta'zim FC | Boys Of Straits | |
| Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium | Kelantan FA | Gate H Boys | |
| Darul Aman Stadium | Kedah FA | Terrace 1- T1 | Ultras Kedah |
| Likas Stadium | Sabah FA | North Borneo Ultras | |
| Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abiddin | Terengganu FA | Curva Gong Badak | Ultras Tranung |
Morocco
| Stade de Marrakech | Kawkab Marrakech | Ultras crazy boys 2006 /Curva Sud 36 (Mitica) |
| Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium | Association Sportive des FAR | Ultras Askary 2005, Black Army 1427 / Curva Sud Che |
| Stade Mohamed V | Raja Casablanca | Ultras Green Boys 05, Ultras Eagles 06, Ultras Freedom, Ultras Derb Sultan /Curva Sud magana |
| Stade Mohamed V | Wydad Casablanca | ultras winners 2005 /Curva Nord |
| Stade Adrar | Hassania Agadir | Ultras Imazighen 2006/Curva Sud
Ultras Red Rebels/ Curva Nord |
| Stade Mimoun Al Arsi | Chabab Rif Al Hoceima | Ultras Los Rifeños 2012/Curva Rifeña |
| Ibn Batouta Stadium | Ittihad Riadi Tanger | Ultra Hercules 2007/Curva Loca |
Netherlands
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Arena | AFC Ajax | Zuid/F-Side Vak 410 |
| De Kuip | Feyenoord | Gerard Meijer Tribune |
Poland
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stadion GOSiR | Arka Gdynia | Górka |
| Stadion Miejski | Lech Poznań | Kocioł |
| Polish Army Stadium | Legia Warszawa | Żyleta |
Portugal
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Estádio do Dragão | F.C. Porto | Topo Sul |
| Estádio das Antas | F.C. Porto | Curva Norte |
| Estádio da Luz | S.L. Benfica | Topo Sul |
| Estádio José Alvalade | Sporting Clube de Portugal | Curva Sul |
| Estádio 1º de Maio | Sporting Clube de Braga | Curva Norte |
Romania
Russia
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Petrovsky Stadium | FC Zenit Saint Petersburg | Virazh(Virage) |
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Lokomotiv Stadium | FC Spartak Moscow | Tribuna B(Tribune B) |
Scotland
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Park | Celtic | Block 111 |
| Ibrox Stadium | Rangers | Section BF1 |
Serbia
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stadion Crvena Zvezda | Crvena Zvezda | North Stand / Sever |
| Stadion Partizan | FK Partizan | South Stand / Jug |
| Stadion Čair | FK Radnički Niš | South Stand / Jug |
| Stadion Karađorđe | FK Vojvodina | North Stand / Sever |
| Omladinski Stadion | OFK Beograd | South Stand / Jug |
Spain
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Estadio Vicente Calderón | Atlético de Madrid | Fondo Sur |
| Estadio Santiago Bernabéu | Real Madrid | Fondo Sur |
| Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera | Real Betis | Gol Sur |
| Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán | Sevilla | Gol Norte |
| Estadi RCDE | RCD Espanyol | Gol Cornellà |
| Estadio Mestalla | Valencia | Curva Nord Mario Alberto Kempes |
| La Rosaleda | Málaga CF | Frente Bokeron / Brigadas Sur |
| Estadio Municipal de Riazor | Deportivo de la Coruña | Riazor Blues/Maratón inferior |
Sweden
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Friends Arena | AIK | Norra Stå |
| Tele2 Arena | Djurgårdens IF | Sofialäktaren (Södra Stå) |
| Gamla Ullevi | GAIS | Sektion 23 |
| Tele2 Arena | Hammarby IF | Västra Långsidan Bajen Fans 1981
Norra Stå Hammarby Ultras 1993, Ultras Boys 1999, Söder Bröder 1998, Bajen Fans flagg-Grupp, Bara Bajare 1996, Bajen Kollektivet |
| Olympia | Helsingborgs IF | Södra Stå
Sektion 37 |
| Borås Arena | IF Elfsborg | Elfsborgsläktaren |
| Gamla Ullevi | IFK Göteborg | Kommandobryggan |
| Nya Parken | IFK Norrköping | Curva Nordahl |
| Swedbank Stadion | Malmö FF | Norra Ståplats |
| Behrn Arena | Örebro SK | Västra Stå |
Switzerland
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Letzigrund | FC Zürich | Südkurve |
| St. Jakob-Park | FC Basel | Muttenzerkurve |
Tunisia
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Stade Olympique de Radès | ES Tunis | Curva Sud Tunis |
| Stade Olympique de Radès | Club Africain | Curva Nord Tunis |
| Stade Taïeb Mhiri | CS Sfaxien | Curva Nord Sfax |
| Stade Olympique de Sousse | ES Sahel | Curva Nord Sousse |
| Stade Olympique de Gabes | SG Gabes | Curva Sud Gabes |
Turkey
| Stadium | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| BJK İnönü Stadı | Beşiktaş J.K. | Kapalı Tribün |
| Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium | Fenerbahçe SK | Türk Telekom Tribünü |
| Bursa Atatürk Stadium | Bursaspor SK | Teksas (taraftar grubu) |
Ukraine
See also
References
- Specific
- ↑ "Football in Rome". Italy Heaven. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ↑ "LO STADIO OLIMPICO". Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ↑ Micheal Lehane (2004-01-07). "Soccer: Roma Therapy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- 1 2 "Il Derby della Capitale". CBC News. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- General
- Testa, A. and Armstrong, G. (2008). "Words and actions: Italian ultras and neo-fascism" Social Identities, vol. 14 (4), pp. 473 – 490
- Testa, A. (2009) "UltraS: an Emerging Social Movement", Review of European Studies, vol. 1 (2), 54–63
- Testa, A. (2010). Contested Meanings: the Italian Media and the UltraS. Review of European Studies, vol 2(1), 15–24
- Testa, A. and Armstrong, G. (in press; November 2010). Football, Fascism and Fandom: The UltraS of Italian Football, A&C (Bloomsbury), London, Black Publishers.