Legia Warsaw
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2009) |
| File:Legia logo.png | |||
| Full name | Klub Piłkarski Legia Warszawa SSA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Wojskowi ("Military"), Legioniści ("Legionnaires") | ||
| Founded | March 1916, as Drużyna Legjonowa | ||
| Ground | Stadion Wojska Polskiego, 3 Łazienkowska Street, Warsaw | ||
| Capacity | 33,400 | ||
| Chairman |  Paweł Kosmala (since 16 April 2010) | ||
| Manager | Maciej Skorża (since 1 June 2010) | ||
| League | Ekstraklasa | ||
| 2009–10 Ekstraklasa | 4th | ||
|
| |||
Legia Warszawa (Polish pronunciation: [ˈlɛɡʲa varˈʂava]) is a professional football club based in Warsaw, Poland. It was founded in March 1916 (during the military operations of the World War I on the eastern front) in the neighborhood of Maniewicze in Volhynia as the football club of the Polish Legions. After World War I (since 31 July 1922) it became the main football club of the Polish Army - Wojskowy Klub Sportowy Legia Warszawa (Military Sports Club Legia Warsaw). In the years 1949 - 1957 Legia was known by the name CWKS Warszawa (Central Military Sports Club Warsaw). Currently it is one of two Warsaw-based football club participating in the Polish Ekstraklasa (alongside Polonia Warsaw). Legia is one of the most successful Polish football clubs in history winning a total of 9 league championships and a record 13 Polish Cups.[citation needed]
On 11 July 2007 Legia was expelled from the Intertoto Cup and put on probation for European competition for the following season, and for the following five seasons, if they qualified. This came as a result of some of their fans rioting during their match against the Lithuanian club FK Vėtra in Vilnius. The UEFA stated that there were ..."obvious problems with Legia supporters at away matches on the continent".[1] The decision to ban Legia for the future European cups was later changed to 5 years probation, and Legia participated in the qualification for the UEFA Cup 2008.[2]
History
Origins
In 1915 during World War I, some members of the Polish Legions decided to create a lasting Polish army club. This idea led to the creation of Legia Warsaw in March 1916. The club was formed almost entirely by soldiers from the Legion lead by Józef Piłsudski. Most of these players originated from southern Poland and from the areas no longer held by Poland. Many of these recruits played in Wisła, Cracovia, or Lwów. The team was originally known as "drużyna legionowa" (Legion Club in English). The first games were played in the area of Volhynian village of Maniewicze, against other legion teams. The first game played in Warsaw was in 1917 on Agrykola street against the team of Polonia Warsaw which ended in a 1:1 draw. The induction into the PZPN was officially recognized as 14 March 1920. In the Polish league it was officially recognized as WKS or Wojskowy Klub Sportowy (Army Sports Club is the direct translation). In 1921 after the War had ended Legia played its first game in the Polish second league against local rivals Korona Warszawa which they lost 0-3. Since its early history Legia played home games on the field on Agrykola street. The first field was located in the same spot as today's training field, which during the annexation was used to house the Russian Cavalry.
The first League
The first match played in the first league was played against ŁKS Łódź on 8 May 1927 which resulted in a 6:1 away win. During that game Marian Łańko was the first player to score a hat-trick for the club. During the 1927-1936 seasons Legia held usually sixth place. From 1930 Legia played in a new stadium, which was presented to them by Józef Piłsudski. After 1936 Legia was relegated to the second division, were it continued to be until after World War II .
After the war
After the World War II, Legia boosted its squad with many new players and at the end of 1949 the club changed its name again this time to Centralny Wojskowy Klub Sportowy (Central Army Sports Club). Eventually Kazimierz Górski joined the club and became a player for both the team and the Poland national team.
The 1970s
The 1970s were known as Poland's golden age of football. From the 1960s to the 1970s, Legia's roster included powerful football players such as Jan Tomaszewski, Kazimierz Deyna, and Robert Gadocha. In the European Cup 1969-70 Legia achieved a successful campaign by reaching the semi finals alongside Feyenoord, Leeds United, and Celtic. The following year, Legia reached the quarter finals where they lost to Atletico Madrid.
The 1980s
Though the club had many national team players including Kazimierski, Okoński, Dziekanowski, Janas, Majewski, Buncol, Kubicki, Wdowczyk and others, the club had problems winning any league titles. However, thanks to winning four Polish Cup the team was able to compete in European competitions.
One of the more memorable European runs was the near upset against Internazionale during the UEFA Cup 1985-86, after two 0-0 games Legia lost in extra time. The next season Legia were yet again drawn against Inter, this time winning at home 3-2 but losing away 1-0 thus losing on away goals.
Legia also won its first Polish SuperCup defeating Ruch Chorzów 3-0 in 1989.
Into the 1990s
The 1990s started just as the 80s had been, Legia struggled to take any League wins but made a name for themselves in European competition. One of the best European runs to date was the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1990–91 where Legia advanced all the way to the Semi-Finals only to lose to the champions Manchester United. Also, they're one of the 2 Polish teams to have played in the current format of UEFA Champions League, and the only Polish team which advanced to the Quarter-Finals in the UEFA Champions League 1995-96 season, advancing in the Group Stage over Rosenborg and Blackburn Rovers.
The club was co-owned by media mogul Jan Wejchert.[3]
Achievements
Domestic
- Polish championship (Ekstraklasa):
- Winner (8): 1955, 1956, 1969, 1970, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2006
- 2nd place (11): 1960, 1968, 1971, 1985, 1986, 1993[4] 1996, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2009
- 3rd place (11): 1928, 1930, 1931, 1961, 1972, 1980, 1988, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007
- Polish Cup:
- Winner (13-record): 1955, 1956, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2008
- Finalist (6): 1952, 1969, 1972, 1988, 1991, 2004
- Polish SuperCup:
- Winner (4-record): 1989, 1994, 1997, 2008
- Finalist (3): 1990, 1995, 2006
- Polish League Cup:
- Winner (1): 2002
- Finalist (2): 2000, 2008
Europe
- European Cup/Champions League:
- Semi-final (1): 1970
- Quarter-final (2): 1971, 1996
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:
- Semi-final (1): 1991
- Quarter-final (2): 1965, 1982
Legia in Europe
Retired numbers
- 10
Kazimierz Deyna (1966–78)
Current squad
The numbers are established according to the official website: legia.com
- As of August 14, 2010
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Reserve team
Sponsors
Notable players
Coaches and managers
Main rivals
Warsaw derby
The Warsaw derby is a match between Legia and Polonia Warsaw.
| All matches | |||
| Matches | Legia wins | Draws | Polonia wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 27 | 19 | 22 |
See also
References
- ^ "Legia punished with UEFA ban". Uefa.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
- ^ http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=512/newsid=574658.html
- ^ "Media mogul Jan Wejchert dies". Thenews.pl. 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ Legia won 1 place in league, but was accused of corrupion and championship was taken away by PZPN)