Writers lie.
There, an answered question. Third time's the charm?
Too much has happened in the last 3 months with respect to not just Legia, but football and its fans in general, to sum it up in just one post. And no, it doesn't concern the Champions League final, EURO 2012, or Africa's biggest derby (Zamalek vs. Al-Ahly), which is taking place as I write this.
Firstly, the Polish Cup (Puchar Polski) is OURS! I had the great opportunity to participate in my first away Legia match, against Lech Poznań, in the Polish Cup final, which took place in Bydgoszcz (131 km away from Poznań, and 270 km away from Warsaw). The 4+ hour train ride there, then the 4+ hour waiting period at the stadium, 90+ minutes of regular time, 30+ minutes of extra time, and the penalties (as well as the 6+ hour train ride back), were all worth it. The sheer joy that one feels in that moment, when the deciding penalty kick is scored, giving your team their 14th Polish cup, is indescribable. Not to mention the amazing atmosphere created by the fans, from the time before the match actually began, all the way to the return home, where one could fly the Legia flag proudly!
Firstly, the Polish Cup (Puchar Polski) is OURS! I had the great opportunity to participate in my first away Legia match, against Lech Poznań, in the Polish Cup final, which took place in Bydgoszcz (131 km away from Poznań, and 270 km away from Warsaw). The 4+ hour train ride there, then the 4+ hour waiting period at the stadium, 90+ minutes of regular time, 30+ minutes of extra time, and the penalties (as well as the 6+ hour train ride back), were all worth it. The sheer joy that one feels in that moment, when the deciding penalty kick is scored, giving your team their 14th Polish cup, is indescribable. Not to mention the amazing atmosphere created by the fans, from the time before the match actually began, all the way to the return home, where one could fly the Legia flag proudly!
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| ULTRAS tifo created by Legia fans during the Polish Cup final. |
Certain events leading up to the Polish Cup final, and their consequences, are a completely separate topic, which I would like to continue in my next post. Nonetheless, certain snippets of what is to come will be present in this one (I have to make you want to come back and read somehow, right?).
Secondly, we somehow managed to find a place on the podium this season, and honestly, our team's name next to 3rd place is impressive in one way or another (although any season in which Legia isn't 1st, is a season lost).
Thirdly, we might have not taken the Championship home this year (again!), and our younger squad (Młoda Ekstraklasa) managed to 'only' take 2nd place, but we did come 1st in one area - monetary punishment for Legia fans' behavior (or misbehavior...?) during matches. The top three in this area were: Legia Warszawa - 157,000.00 PLN, Lech Poznań - 71,000.00 PLN, and Widzew Łódź – 52,000.00 PLN (summing up all of the monetary punishments given to all of the 16 clubs, the amount comes to: 559,500.00 PLN). I just can not help but wonder, on what basis these punishments are being imposed? Is it the fans' fault that Ekstraklasa S.A. has been unable to find a sponsor for the Polish league (two and a half years, and counting...), and they must find other means of financing their cowardly asses?
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| During the Warsaw 'derby' this year, Legia fans presented a tifo made up of small flags. The text reads: "There is only one force in this city, Legia the mighty, and who are you?" |
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| A 15,000.00 PLN fine was imposed on Legia after the Warsaw 'derby' by the League's Commission, and a one match ban for the ultras section known as the "Żyleta" (the latter was dropped). |
Fourthly, with reference to the title of this post, below is a picture of the Wembley Stadium in London, England, the day before the Champions League final, between FC Barcelona and Manchester United, took place:
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| The banner reads: "The Wembley Stadium is closed on behalf of Donald Tusk". |
Donald Tusk is Poland's Prime Minister (for now...), and his administration took it upon themselves to wage a full out war against football fans in Poland. If you are a football fan, then you are guilty as charged. Closing stadiums, arresting fans at dawn (the police in full anti-terrorist gear, etc.), writing up fans who chant anti-government slogans, etc. All of these actions were approved by the one and only - Donald.
Fifthly, once again, related to the title of this post, and the previous '-th' on this list - EURO 2012. As much as I enjoy watching great teams play against each other for the Euro Cup, I must admit that seeing this government fail at trying to fulfill the necessities which should be a priority (and not 'evil' football fans...) in organizing the EURO 2012, would be a pleasure. That is why, I care less where in Europe the EURO 2012 is going to take place, as long as I get to watch it on my uncomfortable couch in front of my TV...
...or maybe the pub is a better idea, since that way some special anti-terrorist police squadron will not find me at home, when Donald gives them the go-ahead to take down another football fanatic.
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| Pogoń Szczecin fans on tour - 28.VI.2011, Berlin, Germany |
So, that is why our friends from Pogoń Szczecin hung up this banner during their last friendly match against 1. FC Union Berlin. If it was not for the EURO 2012, we, the football fans in Poland, would not have received the unnecessary attention that we have received over the last few months.
Sixthly, again, pertaining to the post's title, and the previous two '-th's', the Polish government has decided to draw out its heavy artillery against football fans in Poland. By doing so, they thought that we would be an easy target, since they could portray us as the 'scum de la scum'. Especially with the elections coming up in Autumn. Unfortunately for them, they either did not pay attention during their history lessons, or just forgot certain events from their lives when they were growing up, due to the fact that football fans have played their part in dethroning greedy and moronic rulers. An example from our backyard, is that of Communism (many members of the "Solidarity" movement were football 'hooligans', as some wise-asses would say (or better yet - 'pseudo-fans')). Another example is quite recent, and it is that of Egypt, where the football ultras from both Al-Ahly and Zamalek (who, on a daily basis, hate each other with a passion) 'united' to dethrone their ruler - Mubarak**.
So, the last paragraph of this should summarize the whole bit. But then again, what is there to summarize? Perhaps, that the answer (with 3 examples provided within this post) to the title is correct. If you still believe me, then I do not know what to make of that.
Why?
Because.
Writers lie.
* The title of this post was selected specifically with regards to most of the journalists in Poland who spew bullshit in order to discredit us. Somewhere along the way I completely forgot about those imbeciles.
**http://www.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/06/29/football.ultras.zamalek.ahly/
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