Despite the late withdrawal of Al, the remaining five squad members (Wilkie, Baz, Colin, Phil & Tony) flew out from Luton to the northern Polish city of Gdansk, part of a three city conurbation with the new port of Gydnia and the seaside resort of Sopot.
Gdansk (Danzig) is a great destination for history buffs, with the Solidarity (Freedom) museum in the shipyard, the nearby Post Office (scene of the first shots in September 1939) and WWII museums, and the harbour side Maritime Museum to name a few of the 'things to do'.
We managed to integrate such cultural activity with the enjoyment of good beer & hearty meals and three footie games (but sadly only 3 goals in all!).
First up was a Friday night fixture at Gydnia where Arka were playing Cracovia in their 15,000 capacity stadium that hosted European Under-21 games in the Summer. This top flight game improved after a disappointing first half and finished level with a goal apiece. The club from Krakow ended the day in bottom place in the Ekstraklasa table.
The Saturday afternoon top flight fixture was at the impressive Stadion Energa Gdansk which was built for the European Championships back in 2012, but is seldom at it's 40,000 capacity for league games. A crowd of less than 10,000 witnessed a rare Lechia Gdansk win by a single goal. The visitors, Zaglebie Lubin had been second in the table, but failed to impress on the day.
After spending a couple of hours in Sopot enjoying the sunshine, the third game involved a return to Gydnia this time to watch Baltyk Gydnia play at the National Rugby Stadion (NSR) a short distance from Arka's ground. This III Liga (Group 2) game finished goal-less as the visitors from Pelplin stifled the previously high scoring home side, much to the chagrin of the watching Wilkie Tours!
Gdansk (Danzig) is a great destination for history buffs, with the Solidarity (Freedom) museum in the shipyard, the nearby Post Office (scene of the first shots in September 1939) and WWII museums, and the harbour side Maritime Museum to name a few of the 'things to do'.
We managed to integrate such cultural activity with the enjoyment of good beer & hearty meals and three footie games (but sadly only 3 goals in all!).
First up was a Friday night fixture at Gydnia where Arka were playing Cracovia in their 15,000 capacity stadium that hosted European Under-21 games in the Summer. This top flight game improved after a disappointing first half and finished level with a goal apiece. The club from Krakow ended the day in bottom place in the Ekstraklasa table.
The Saturday afternoon top flight fixture was at the impressive Stadion Energa Gdansk which was built for the European Championships back in 2012, but is seldom at it's 40,000 capacity for league games. A crowd of less than 10,000 witnessed a rare Lechia Gdansk win by a single goal. The visitors, Zaglebie Lubin had been second in the table, but failed to impress on the day.
After spending a couple of hours in Sopot enjoying the sunshine, the third game involved a return to Gydnia this time to watch Baltyk Gydnia play at the National Rugby Stadion (NSR) a short distance from Arka's ground. This III Liga (Group 2) game finished goal-less as the visitors from Pelplin stifled the previously high scoring home side, much to the chagrin of the watching Wilkie Tours!
Top row: Action from Arka v Cracovia; View from our seats; Arka ULTRAS.
Second row: Action from Baltyk game; Ref checks on Pelplin injury; NSR stand.
Third row: Gdansk harbourside; Stadion Energa Gdansk; Action from Lechia v Lubin.
Fourth row: In the footsteps of Lech Walesa; relaxing on Sopot pier.
Second row: Action from Baltyk game; Ref checks on Pelplin injury; NSR stand.
Third row: Gdansk harbourside; Stadion Energa Gdansk; Action from Lechia v Lubin.
Fourth row: In the footsteps of Lech Walesa; relaxing on Sopot pier.
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