Stadion Lechii – stadium description

Stadium located in Aniolki district was erected in 1927 as a response to booming football in Gdansk. Ironically, it didn’t have a regular tenant until after World War II. After reclaiming Gdansk Polish team Baltia took the ground and was later transformed into Lechia as it remains today. Now “The White-Greens” play at a new venue though, leaving this one only for youth and rugby sections.

Several refurbishments took place here and the ones in 2006-08 allowed the ground to retain a decent standard. During works bombs from WWII were found though, resulting in speculations. They were not femains from bombings, so it is thought they were either leftovers from a Nazi warehouse or bombs to be detonated during potential celebrations of liberation.

Poland played one international game in Gdansk – a 1987 fixture against Cyprus that ended goalless. No wonder another international match is much more remembered here – three years earlier Juventus Turin came to Gdansk to fight in Europe and though any outcome other than “Juve” winning was hard to imagine, immense crowds have flocked the stands, estimated at some 40,000. In attendance was Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity movement. His presence was celebrated with a lot of “politically incorrect” chants that Polish public TV tried best not to be heard, but years later Italian tapes allowed for the true game broadcast to be seen. Not only this fixture was filled with content against the previous regime – Lechia supporters are thought to have been armed wing of the opposition, demonstrating regularly during and after games, home and away.