.. Jalbum 8.5 slides/IMG_1146.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 All of Gol Sur in view, with the Hotel Al-Andalus in the background. All of Gol Sur in view, with the Hotel Al-Andalus in the background. slides/IMG_1146.JPG slides/IMG_1148.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Setting up for a free kick. Setting up for a free kick. slides/IMG_1148.JPG slides/IMG_1149.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 In 2003 he was the best in "La Liga" for free kicks. Here he let's one go, although it missed the mark this time. In 2003 he was the best in "La Liga" for free kicks. Here he let's one go, although it missed the mark this time. slides/IMG_1149.JPG slides/IMG_1159.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Above view of my seat. I am a "socio" or season ticket holder. Look closely and you'll see part of a Betis scarf, confetti and of course an empty bag of "pipas" - all very common sites in the stands. Above view of my seat. I am a "socio" or season ticket holder. Look closely and you'll see part of a Betis scarf, confetti and of course an empty bag of "pipas" - all very common sites in the stands. slides/IMG_1159.JPG slides/IMG_1160.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 With the game in progress this is the view from our seats. With the game in progress this is the view from our seats. slides/IMG_1160.JPG slides/IMG_1161.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The right side is slightly different and was not part of the renovation. Gol Sur, where the Ultras (the crazy fans) cheer for Betis is still waiting to be redone. The right side is slightly different and was not part of the renovation. Gol Sur, where the Ultras (the crazy fans) cheer for Betis is still waiting to be redone. slides/IMG_1161.JPG slides/IMG_1162.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Eatadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, or as many still call it by it's old name - Estadio Benito Villamarin. To the left is the newest section of the stadium, only a few years old. Eatadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, or as many still call it by it's old name - Estadio Benito Villamarin. To the left is the newest section of the stadium, only a few years old. slides/IMG_1162.JPG slides/IMG_1166.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 During the renovation they created these larger "escudos" or team crests, out of smaller ones so the light would shine on the stairs and walkways to the seats. During the renovation they created these larger "escudos" or team crests, out of smaller ones so the light would shine on the stairs and walkways to the seats. slides/IMG_1166.JPG slides/IMG_5517.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 View of the back of the stadium, away from the main avenue. View of the back of the stadium, away from the main avenue. slides/IMG_5517.JPG slides/IMG_5518.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The ticket window - luckily on this day there is not much of a wait. The ticket window - luckily on this day there is not much of a wait. slides/IMG_5518.JPG slides/IMG_5519.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Picking up tickets the day of the match. Picking up tickets the day of the match. slides/IMG_5519.JPG slides/IMG_5520.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The seat colors spell out Real Betis as well as the team "escudo". The seat colors spell out Real Betis as well as the team "escudo". slides/IMG_5520.JPG slides/IMG_5522.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Team and management entrance. Team and management entrance. slides/IMG_5522.JPG slides/IMG_5524.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The lower portion is Gol Sur, the south goal, which will one day be rebuilt. The lower portion is Gol Sur, the south goal, which will one day be rebuilt. slides/IMG_5524.JPG slides/IMG_5526.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Along Gol Sur, where the rowdy "ultras" are seated. Today it is early and there are plenty of hot dogs to be eaten before things begin. Along Gol Sur, where the rowdy "ultras" are seated. Today it is early and there are plenty of hot dogs to be eaten before things begin. slides/IMG_5526.JPG slides/IMG_5527.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Betis, Real Madrid or even Milan. Take your pick... Betis, Real Madrid or even Milan. Take your pick... slides/IMG_5527.JPG slides/IMG_5529.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 You can see where the new (left) meets the old (right) part of the stadium. I love the little triangles, which represent part of the Betis team crest, or escudo. You can see where the new (left) meets the old (right) part of the stadium. I love the little triangles, which represent part of the Betis team crest, or escudo. slides/IMG_5529.JPG slides/IMG_5530.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The old section of the stadium, where the Betis store and ticket windows are located. The old section of the stadium, where the Betis store and ticket windows are located. slides/IMG_5530.JPG slides/IMG_5531.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Lopera, the owner, had to have his name on the new stadium. I sitll like to think of it as Benito Villamarin, the old stadium name. At least it doesn't have a corporate name... Lopera, the owner, had to have his name on the new stadium. I sitll like to think of it as Benito Villamarin, the old stadium name. At least it doesn't have a corporate name... slides/IMG_5531.JPG slides/IMG_5533.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Two important dates: 1907 Betis was founded, thankfully parting ways with the dark side (Sevilla FC). 2000 when the new stadium was "finished". There is still another portion to be constructed... Two important dates: 1907 Betis was founded, thankfully parting ways with the dark side (Sevilla FC). 2000 when the new stadium was "finished". There is still another portion to be constructed... slides/IMG_5533.JPG slides/IMG_5537.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Pipas! The number one choice of snacks at the match are sunflower seeds. Good positioning of the cart means better sales on match day. Pipas! The number one choice of snacks at the match are sunflower seeds. Good positioning of the cart means better sales on match day. slides/IMG_5537.JPG slides/IMG_5538.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 View of the new portion along the Avenue View of the new portion along the Avenue slides/IMG_5538.JPG slides/IMG_5542.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 The new side of the stadium. If it is ever finished this will be a great venue... The new side of the stadium. If it is ever finished this will be a great venue... slides/IMG_5542.JPG slides/IMG_5543.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 A burger stand which does a good bit of business selling beer before the matches. A burger stand which does a good bit of business selling beer before the matches. slides/IMG_5543.JPG slides/IMG_5544.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 You can always find something at the match to support Betis. You can always find something at the match to support Betis. slides/IMG_5544.JPG slides/IMG_5547.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 All generations attend the matches! All generations attend the matches! slides/IMG_5547.JPG slides/IMG_5548.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Que bonito, que bonito, son los goles de Alfonsito... Que bonito, que bonito, son los goles de Alfonsito... slides/IMG_5548.JPG slides/IMG_5550.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Can you find both balls in mid-air? Can you find both balls in mid-air? slides/IMG_5550.JPG slides/IMG_5553.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Warming up. Warming up. slides/IMG_5553.JPG slides/IMG_5561.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 View of warm-ups from my seat. View of warm-ups from my seat. slides/IMG_5561.JPG slides/IMG_5571.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Just before kickoff. Just before kickoff. slides/IMG_5571.JPG slides/IMG_5575.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 After a goal. After a goal. slides/IMG_5575.JPG slides/sev-estadio-betis.html# Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0200 Stadium at night - no game on this night. Stadium at night - no game on this night. slides/sev-estadio-betis.jpg