Words: Tom Reed
Photos: Roy Piepers
La Bombonera gets the attention, but, to football stadium aficionados, Huracán's Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó is the one when it comes to Buenos Aires grounds.
Known as "El Palacio" for good reason, with its impressive bowl and art deco facade, a massive tower gives the impression of a spaceship ready to take off.
Roy Piepers had the other-worldly experience of a magic door into Club Atlético Huracán's Parque Patricios palace, being able to just walk in off the street and have a mooch around.
"I enjoyed walking around the stadium, taking pictures and marvelling at the details, when I suddenly noticed one of the gates was open. This is something that rarely happens for me. I've heard of people who always seem to find that one open door or gate, but for me, it was a rarity. I've got nothing to lose; the worst thing that could happen is someone finds me and escorts me out. And so I walked in".
"I entered through the same gate used by visiting supporters during the match, Popular Guillermo Stábile, which has "Huracán" written on it in enormous letters".
"The first thing I noticed was a mural welcoming Iron Maiden to a concert in December of the previous year, which a friend of mine had attended. Once inside, under glorious sunshine, seeing the enormous tower on the Platea Houseman, the hot-air balloon painted on the concrete steps of Popular Bonavena, and the concrete seats offered a completely different perspective compared to seeing it all in the rain."
"That 'open gate' moment made the revisit truly worthwhile, and it's certain to draw me back for another match the next time I find myself in Buenos Aires, the true home of football".
