The GreenFields Stadium in The Hague was officially opened this morning. It is the second stadium for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 (31 May - 15 June) and is situated next to the main Kyocera Stadium. Dutch internationals Jeroen Hertzberger and Seve van Ass scored the first symbolic goals. To add to the fun, keeper Jaap Stockman was joined in goal by World Cup mascot Stockey.
"We're really impressed with how the pitch looks and feels," said Stockman. "The pitch feels fast and quite settled like it has been here for awhile, so, it should be very exciting for the tournament."
The preparation of the ground took six months, while constructing the stadium itself took just two. The turf is the a specially designed GreenFields TX World Cup surface. The same turf will be used in the Kyocera Stadium when the football pitch is temporarily replaced from May 7. After the World Cup, the GreenFields turf will be handed over to local hockey club Ypenburg.
GreenFields started developing the perfect World Cup surface over two years ago.
