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Soccer World Cup – Then and Now

June 10th, 2010 Posted in worth knowing Tags: , ,

It’s kick-off time for the 19th FIFA World Cup in South Africa. A lot has happened in the past 80 years of World Cup history: there were winners and losers, enthusiastic and disappointed fans, festivals of goals and goalless draws.

Do you remember the pictures of the 2006 World Cup in Germany? Waving flags in black-red-gold throughout the whole country. Millions of spectators watching the games on public viewing screens or in front of the TV at home cheer for the teams and celebrate the winners on the “Fan Miles” – for example in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Over three million people watched the matches of the participating 32 nations live in the stadiums. But if you turn to the beginnings of FIFA World Cup, you’ll get a rather different picture: Only 13 nations entered the first tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Many European teams didn’t participate, due to the duration and cost of travel – South America wasn’t accessible by plane yet. Only Belgium, France, Yugoslavia and Romania made the long journey, crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship within two or three weeks – of course, they also had training on deck.

In Uruguay, the teams were not welcomed by millions of fans: Only 300 followed the match between Romania and Peru, the lowest attendance in a World Cup game. Although there were 70,000 spectators at the Uruguay versus Argentina final, the popularity of the first competitions cannot be compared with today’s tournaments. An important milestone was the 1950 World Cup held in Brazil: The world’s biggest arena, the “Maracanã Stadium” with a capacity of 200,000 was built. For the first time, the million mark had been cracked – around 1.34 million fans watched the games live in the stadiums. With 170.000 spectators the match Uruguay versus Brazil holds the record for the highest attendance in World Cup history. Until then, the football experience had been reserved for the fans in the stadiums, because there was no television coverage yet. This changed in 1954 at the World Cup in Switzerland: for the first time the matches were broadcasted on television. Around 90 million people watched the tournament. They often watched together in bars, because only few households had their own TV – “Public Viewing” was born and has been growing ever since.

The latest World Cup has shown how football can move and enthuse the masses.

It will be interesting to see what the upcoming competition in South Africa will bring. This tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to take place on the African continent. The preparation involved great efforts and costly investments in the infrastructure during the last years: with six new stadiums, the expansion of the international airports in Cape Town and Johannesburg as well as a new airport in Durban and numerous hotels, South Africa is prepared. Nevertheless, the country will have to face some challenges in the area of security, owing to the high crime rate. Fans, football teams as well as journalists are urged to consider special precautions. Yet one thing is certain: in June 2010, the football world will again turn its full attention to the World Cup, to South Africa.

Did you know…

…the first goal in World Cup history was scored by Lucien Laurent of France.

in the 1934 World Cup, both the Italian and German teams played in uniforms consisting of white jerseys and black shorts. As Italian fans protested, the German team had to change their dress.

…Hakan Sükür from Turkey holds the record for scoring the fastest ever World Cup goal in 11 seconds at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

…in the 1974 World Cup in Germany, for the first time, the final did not take place in the host-country’s capital for the first time but at the Munich Olympic Stadium.

…in 1958 Pelé from Brazil became the youngest player to play in a World Cup final match at 17 years.

…Roger Milla from Cameroon is the oldest player to have scored a goal in the World Cup at the age of 42 (1994).

…the 1994 World Cup in the United States holds the record for the highest attendance in World Cup history with over 3.5 million spectators.

…with 15 goals, Brazilian Ronaldo is the most successful World Cup scorer, followed by Gerd Müller from Germany with 14 goals and Just Fontaine from France with 13 goals.

The stadiums of the World Cup 2010

Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban
Capacity: 69.957
Built: 2009

Street View


Soccer City in Johannesburg
Capacity: 94.700
Built: 1987

Street View


Free-State stadium in Bloemfontein
Capacity: 37.160
Built: 1952

Street View

Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit

Capacity: 43.589

Built: 2009

Street View


Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg
Capacity: 44.530
Built: 1999

Street View

Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg
Capacity: 61.639
Built: 1982

Street View

Green Point stadium in Kapstadt
Capacity: 66.005
Built: 2009

Street View

Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth
Capacity: 46.082
Built: 2009

Street View

Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane
Capacity: 45.264
Built: 2010

Street View

Loftus Versfeld-stadium in Pretoria
Capacity: 49.365
Built: 1906

Street View


LSD curtains in the Airport in Würzburg

May 31st, 2010 Posted in EUROLITE, References Tags: , ,

The airport nightclub in Würzburg, Bavaria, is one of Germany’s leading house and techno clubs. It has been and still is home to many international top acts. Whether it is Sven Väth, Paul van Dyk, DJ Rush, Monika Kruse, Chris Liebing or Westbam; they all have rocked both turntables and entertained the masses.

Now, the airport, which had its own truck at the Love Parade for years, set a new standard and decided to install LSD curtains. “We wanted to try something new, something, that other clubs don’t have,” reckons the owner Rudi Schmidt. As the LED Soft Displays offer great flexibility, a very low own weight and brilliant colors, they are an innovation in the field of lighting technology: they are suitable for a wide range of applications and can show videos, graphic applications as well as backdrops. Only recently, the Eurolite LSD-100 curtain was crowned the winner in the category “Light tool of the year“ by German magazine Soundcheck.

The 14 curtains have been installed by Ape Laps Lichtprodukte from Würzburg. CEO Julius Schrenk assembled in total ten Eurolite LSD-75, four LSD-50 and six LSD AIO Network control systems in the airport and in the adjacent premises of “Soundpark Ost”. The curtains are primarily used as backdrops or ceiling lighting.

The airport opened its doors in 1983 in an old warehouse. Back in those days, the interior design space was the one of an airport terminal, hence the name to the club. The crowd at the time was trendy, ties and champagne were an obligation and many so called “pop icons” of the 80s, like Kool & the Gang, Sister Sledge, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Santana or Def Leppard, had their appearance at the airport after having played a show in the city.

In the following years, the airport turned from an elitist into a favorite student venue. Furthermore, they opened within the site the “Rockpalast” area (today “Soundpark Ost”) offering there an alternative music program. There was another turning point in the club’s history when techno music became popular. The new electronic music dominated the dance floors and the airport soon became Mecca for ravers all over Germany and beyond. After a short renovation phase, the club was reanimated by Rudi Schmidt, who re-opened a completely new designed airport. Techno had become music for the masses and the expanded venue offered plenty of space.

Today the airport offers various party activities such as dance classics or student events, while the Friday nights are dedicated to house music. Highlights of the club are still its highly successful techno events with superstar guests like Westbam, Carl Cox and others.


PSSO introduces Compact Speaker Array

May 27th, 2010 Posted in PSSO Tags: , , ,

Based on the Compact Line Array (CLA) PSSO now introduces the Compact Speaker Array (CSA/CSK) which is suitable both for permanent installations and mobile use thanks to various versions and extensive accessories.

The powerful CSA high-mid speaker units feature a horn tweeter with 3.5 cm driver and, depending on the model, one or two 20 cm woofers (CSA-218 or CSA-228 respectively). The tweeter of the smaller version, the CSA-218, ensures a horizontal and vertical dispersion angle of 90°. Thus the CSA-218 can be used standing or lying without having to make compromises in terms of sound or directivity. The larger version, the CSA-228, is designed for upright use and has a dispersion angle of 90° x 40°. Both versions are available with black and white high-quality plastic cabinets and come with speaker flanges. If necessary, an optional U-bracket can be refitted which mounts to a stand kit for monitor applications.

The CSK series brings even finer resolution of the high frequency range and an amazing level stability. The distinguishing feature compared to the CSA series are the tweeters. The CSK speakers are not equipped with a single horn tweeter but, depending on the number of woofers, with one or two 2.5 cm dome tweeters. This tweeter makes an even wider dispersion angle possible. The CSK-218 with one woofer and one tweeter has a dispersion angle of 120° x 120°, whereas the version with two woofers and two tweeters offers 120° x 60°. All models feature a stable U-bracket. A stand flange as with the CSA models can be refitted.

Optional wall brackets allow to mount the mid-high speaker units PSSO CSA and CSK vertically or horizontally. For very large rooms, a hexagonal flying bracket that holds six speakers is possible.

For extending the low frequency range, two matching subwoofers are available. The CSA-112 is a 30 cm woofer with dual voice coil in a bass reflex cabinet. It perfectly compliments the CSK models and is also equipped with terminal connectors. Moreover, a passive crossover is integrated for operating the corresponding tops.

The larger CSA-115 with 38 cm woofer in a bandpass enclosure disposes of speaker connectors and a flange for mounting a top speaker of the CSA series. The subwoofer must be separately controlled via a speaker controller or an active crossover. The controller PSSO DXO-48 is ideally suited for this task.

PSSO CSA-228B top, black

PSSO CSA-228W Top, white

PSSO CSA-218B Top, black

PSSO CSA-218W Top, white

PSSO CSK-228B Top, black

PSSO CSK-228W Top, white

PSSO CSK-218B Top, black

PSSO CSK-218W Top, white

Steinigke at DJ-Meeting in Bochum

May 18th, 2010 Posted in OMNITRONIC Tags: ,

On Wednesday, May 19, the DJ scene meets for the annual trade show: DJMeeting. It goes without saying, that Steinigke will also be present with a stand in Bochum, Germany.

For the 21st run of the most important national trade show, the organizers have come back to their roots. And these can be found at the former tarm Center in Bochum, now known as discotheque Fridays. Here, many DJs, labels and exhibitors are meeting, to present their work, to inform about new products and to maintain and cultivate contacts. Steinigke presents new products outdoors in the exhibition tent. Beside exhibitors, the organizers also put focus on a huge live program with infotalks, workshops and really hot DJ acts. It’s worth a visit!

In the center of Steinigke’s appearance are new and established DJ products from Omnitronic. The midi controller TMC-2, the DJ station XET-2800, the card player SDP-3, the turntable DD-5250, the controller MMC-1, the double CD player XDP-2800, the mp3 player and audiomixer MMP-1, the digital effekt mixer EX-820, the active system AS-360, the headphone SHP-200 MK2 and many more.

Pictures from last year:

More pictures on Facebook.

Practical LED bar offers diverse creative possibilities

May 10th, 2010 Posted in EUROLITE Tags: , ,

With the LED Bar RGB 126/10 Eurolite presents a device with small dimensions but great potential. Because the alleged missing size doesn’t prevent it from a powerful performance. It’s available from now on.

Small bar with a big heart!
Its dimensions are manageable, its weight almost not worth mentioning and its brightness more than convincing: The LED Bar RGB from Eurolite. Due to its 126 LEDs, each with a diameter of 10mm, the bar can play a surprisingly dominant role. They diodes operate best when used as audience lighting. By doing so, the strobe effect and the color-fading are the most impressive features. The LEDs are sound controlled via microphone, that way they can adjust to the music easily. The LED bar RGB 252/10 is ideal for bands, stages and for solo entertainers. But it should not be denied, that using the bar as deco element is advisable as well. Especially its size paves the way for many different applications.