 |
| Welcome to .... |
Different year, same ‘mistake’. You have to be registered with the club to get a match ticket in Poland, so you can’t expect to rock up 10 minutes before the game and see kick-off. Still, they were (slightly) more efficient here than at Pogon Szczecin and I was in by the half hour mark. Even better, I hadn’t missed any goals.
 |
| Note the two queues. |
As I queued once to get a ticket (to be told to join another queue to be registered first), before joining the first queue again, I had plenty of time to consider where to sit. I thought my currency conversion skills were off when I worked out the prices were between £2.50-£6. F*** it. At that price, I’ll have the finest seat in the stadium, please. Upper tier, halfway line. ‘One’ he says. ‘Yes, just one, thanks’. ‘No, no. One ZLOTY’. Ticket guy could see the confusion on my face. ‘Introductory price for registering.’ Wow! I’m in for about twenty pence.
 |
| You have been warned! |
The last time I was in Krakow (about 6 years ago), Cracovia’s ground was in a real state, all rust and decay. In contrast, Wisla’s two new stands were gleaming and a third side of the stadium was about to be rebuilt. Cracovia’s ground has since been knocked down and a new stadium has risen on its ashes. It’s now a small yet beautiful stadium ideal for a side of their standing. In contrast, Wisla’s stadium already looks tired and in need of a lick of paint.
 |
| You can see Wisla's stadium in the distance. |
Stadion Cracovii is what Doncaster Rovers COULD have built had their stadium designers had any vision at all. The main stand here is two-tiered while the rest has one. Behind the ultras’ end (Sektor D) there are executive boxes (as well as in the upper tier where I sat) while the opposite end had a large chunk of seating cut out for the kids to play in. Watch the footie while keeping an eye on the kids (or letting someone else do it for you). Brilliant.
 |
| The kids' sector. |
I was expecting the vast majority of Cracovia’s support to be in Sektor D, but perhaps the loud tannoy of the cheerleader is offputting. Fans were smattered all round the stadium, with half of the far side looking busy with the fans remaining defiantly standing (like Sektor D) despite the seats. Occasional chants would rise from this stand too and occasionally the whole ground joined in. Certainly a better atmosphere than the team deserved!
 |
| The away end. |
Cracovia took the lead a few minutes before half time. A nothing ball into the box was headed in by the centre forward, from Senegal. Why are Africans so over represented in minor European leagues? It’s never the left back, rarely the keeper. It’s gotta be the centre forward or mercurial attacking type. Still, good header, albeit out of the blue.
 |
| Cracovia ultras |
At half time I went for a beer and kombasa (sausage). Service was prompt and I was soon back in my seat, in front of the (limited) press crew. Unlike most of the ultras, who were still under the stand, probably trying to cool off having been jumping around in the sun and Polish heat. They were still there 55 seconds into the second half when Piast equalised. A slick one-touch move found the right winger free and he pulled it back to be sidefooted into and empty net. Easy. And three minutes later Piast had won it, a whipped in left foot curler flicked in superbly by an onrushing centre forward. Even some home fans applauded. They also thought there was plenty of time to come back. Both sides tried to play football, but it was all in slow motion. And while Cracovia threw men forward towards the end, Piast couldn’t take advantage of numerous breaks.
 |
| How the average Cracovian felt at full time. |
At the end, having spent barely any money at all, I thought I’d peruse the ‘fanshop’/market stall of goodies under the Sektor D stand. No such luck; I had to exit a particular way and officious stewarding brought back memories of Erzegirbirger Aue t’other year: yes, you may come and see the game, but now the game is over, you must leave. Do not pass go, do not go to the club shop. Turn around and go back whence you came.
 |
| Cameraman |
PLZ 1 ent
PLZ 7 beer (x2)
PLZ 10 kombasa (sausage)
= PLZ 25 (£4.21!!!!!!!)
The Tunes:
Django Django (Django Django)
Dimension Intrusion (Fuse)
 |
| Up here to my seat. |
 |
| Fans to my right. |
 |
| Fans to my left. |
 |
| Sunset over Cracovii. |
 |
| Home time! |
 |
| Full time, 1-2. |
 |
| You are here. |
|
| All crisp and modern. |
 |
| Back of the stand on 'Focha' street. |
 |
| One way to pay the rent... |
 |
| Ticket booth |
 |
| There's something I love about the simplicity of it all. |
 |
| Back of VIP stand. |
 |
| How it used to look..the old fence is still there. |
No comments:
Post a Comment