Lech Poznań
| File:KKS Lech Poznań.png | |||
| Full name | Kolejowy Klub Sportowy Lech Poznań, S.A. | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Kolejorz (The Railwayman) | ||
| Founded | 19 March 1922 as KS Lutnia Dębiec | ||
| Ground | INEA Stadion, Poznań, Poland | ||
| Capacity | 43,269 [1] | ||
| Chairman |  Karol Klimczak | ||
| Coach |  Nenad Bjelica | ||
| League | Ekstraklasa | ||
| 2015–16 | 7th | ||
| Website | http://www.lechpoznan.pl/ | ||
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Lech Poznań (Polish pronunciation: [lɛx ˈpɔznaɲ]) is a Polish professional football club based in Poznań and currently competing in the Ekstraklasa, the nation's highest division. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of the Polish nation.
The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1930 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways (PKP). As a result, its popular nickname is Kolejorz [kɔˈlɛjɔʂ], which means The Railwayman in local slang. The club's debut in the Polish top division took place in the year 1948. The brightest era of Lech was in the early 1980s and early 1990s. Lech has won the Polish league a total of seven times, most recently in 2015, and is the most popular football club in the Greater Poland region.[citation needed]
Honours
Domestic
- Ekstraklasa (First Division):
- Champion (7): 1983, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2015
- 2nd place (2): 2013, 2014
- 3rd place (4): 1949, 1950, 1978, 2009
- Polish Cup:
- Winner (5): 1982, 1984, 1988, 2004, 2009
- Finalist (4): 1980, 2011, 2015, 2016
- Polish SuperCup:
- Winner (6): 1990, 1992, 2004, 2009, 2015, 2016
- Finalist (3): 1983, 1988, 2010
- Youth Teams:
- Polish U-19 Champion: 1987, 1995
- Polish U-19 Runner-up: 1998, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015
- Polish U-19 Bronze Medal: 1937, 1985, 1992, 1994, 2014
- Polish U-17 Champion: 2009, 2014, 2015
- Polish U-17 Runner-up: 1996, 2012
- Ekstraklasa top goalscorers (10):
Teodor Anioła (1949 - 20, 1950 - 21, 1951 - 20)
- Mirosław Okoński (1983 - 15)
- Andrzej Juskowiak (1990 - 18)
- Jerzy Podbrożny (1992 - 20, 1993 - 25)
- Piotr Reiss (2007 - 15)
- Robert Lewandowski (2010 - 18)
Artjoms Rudņevs (2012 - 22)
Europe
- UEFA Europa League:
- Round of 32 (2): 2009, 2011
UEFA participation
As of 16 December 2010, Lech Poznań had played a total of 62 games in European competition during the years 1978–10. Among the most memorable games in the club's history were the clashes against Barcelona in the 1988–89 season of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round. After both matches ended with 1–1 draw, Lech Poznań lost the penalty shoot-out with 4–5. Barcelona eventually went on to win the tournament.
During the 1983–84 European Cup season, Lech earned a 2–0 win at home against Spanish champions Athletic Bilbao. During the 1990–91 season, Lech eliminated the Greek champions Panathinaikos in the first round, with a 5–1 score on aggregate. In the next tie Lech was knocked out by Marseille but won the first leg 3–2 at home.
During the 2008–09 UEFA Cup season, Lech made it to the group stage of the competition after knocking out higher seeded teams of Grasshopper (notching its greatest margin of victory with a 6–0 win at home) and Austria Wien (scoring the decisive goal in the last minute of extra-time). In the group stage, Lech finished third-placed ahead of Nancy and Feyenoord to secure a place in the Third Round, where it was knocked out by the Italian side Udinese.
Their home ground Stadion Miejski has been totally rebuilt and completed in September 2010 for UEFA Euro 2012, during which it is expected to host 3 games in Group C.
Kolejorz wrote another glorious chapter in club's history during its 2010–11 UEFA Europa League campaign. After being knocked out by Sparta Prague during Champions League qualification, they made it to the group stage of the Europa League. This time the Polish underdog had to face the big names: Juventus and Manchester City. In Turin a hat-trick by Artjoms Rudņevs earned them a surprising 3–3 draw. After defeating the English side at home 3–1, Lech made it to the top of the group. The game against Juventus was played in very bad, snowy conditions and ended in a 1–1 draw. This was enough to put Lech Poznań into the knockout phase of the Europa League.
List of results
As of 31 December 2015:
| Competition | App | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League | 7 | 24 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 27 | 38 |
| Cup Winners' Cup | 2 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 |
| Europa League | 11 | 58 | 23 | 14 | 21 | 76 | 66 |
| Overall | 20 | 90 | 37 | 17 | 36 | 113 | 111 |
Records
- Highest victory, Ekstraklasa: 11–1 vs. Szombierki Bytom, 27 August 1950
- Highest loss, Ekstraklasa: 0–8 vs. Wisła Kraków, 30 May 1976
- Highest attendance overall: c. 65,000 vs. Zawisza Bydgoszcz, 25 June 1972
- Highest attendance at Stadion Miejski: c. 45,000 vs. Widzew Łódź, 8 April 1984
- Highest average attendance, Ekstraklasa: 45,384 per game, in the 1972–1973 season (13 games)
- Most appearances, Ekstraklasa: Hieronim Barczak, 367 (1973–86)
- Most goals, Ekstraklasa: Teodor Anioła, 141 (1948–61)
- Most goals in a season, Ekstraklasa: Jerzy Podbrożny, 25 (1992–93)
- Most national caps:
Luis Henríquez, 50 for Panama
Current squad
- As of 30 October 2016.[3]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers
9 - Piotr Reiss - Forward (1994–98, 2002–08, 2012–13)
12 - number retired for fans, called "12th player"
Coaching staff
- Coach:
Nenad Bjelica - Assistant Coach:
Rene Poms - Assistant Coach: Martin Meyer
- Goalkeeping Coach: Andrzej Dawidziuk
- Fitness Coach: Andrzej Kasprzak
- Youth Coach
Ivan Đurđević[5] - Youth Coach Wojciech Tomaszewski
Stadium
The Municipal Stadium in Poznań, Poland, It is the home ground of Lech Poznań, and was one of the venues for the group phase of Euro 2012. It has a league capacity of 43,269 (all seated). The stadium was originally built between 1968 and 1980. From its inauguration in August 1980 Lech Poznań has used the ground as its main venue; since 2010 it has also been used by Warta Poznań, which currently plays in I Liga.[6] The ground is situated on the street ul. Bułgarska 17 in the southwestern part of the city (Grunwald district).
In the years 2003–10 the stadium underwent a complete reconstruction, including the building of four new fully covered stands.[7] Currently it is the fifth largest stadium in Poland (after National Stadium, Silesia Stadium, The Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw and PGE Arena Gdańsk) and third largest in Ekstraklasa (after the latter two).[8] The grand opening after final renovation took place on 20 September 2010, with Sting's Symphonicity Tour concert.
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Exterior of the municipal stadium in Poznań -
Full Exterior of the stadium -
Full interior showing vip stand -
Interior of the municipal stadium
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Fans
Lech Poznań is considered to have one of the strongest fan support in Poland due to the club's high average attendance in the Ekstraklasa and the atmosphere during the games.
Lech's fanbase is mainly located in the Greater Poland region, with fan clubs in numerous other towns.
For over a decade Lech supporters have a fellowship with fans from Arka Gdynia and KS Cracovia (the alliance is sometimes know as the Wielka Triada or The Great Triad). Close friendship links Lech fans also with KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski supporters (since 1992). Among the more ardent element of supporters, there are some private contacts with Fratria, fans of Spartak Moscow.
The biggest rival is Legia Warsaw with whom they contest the "Derby of Poland". Wisła Kraków, Lechia Gdańsk and Śląsk Wrocław are also big rivals due to the fans friendship with Arka and Cracovia, similarly Korona Kielce are disliked due to the friendship with KSZO. Other teams that can be considered rivals are Widzew Łódź, Ruch Chorzów and Pogoń Szczecin. In past the "Greater Poland derby" was played against regional rivals Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski before their decline.
Relations with local rival Warta Poznań are neutral as the clubs have almost always played in different leagues and many fans attend matches of both teams.
The Poznań
The fans' goal celebration involving the turning of their backs to the pitch, joining arms and jumping up and down in unison—originated in 1961[citation needed]. It is known in the English speaking world as "The Poznan" after Manchester City began using the celebration following their clash with Lech Poznań in the group stages of the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League. Also popular with fans of Scottish club Celtic who call their version "The Huddle", in homage to the teams pre-match ritual of a huddle before every game kicks off.
Lech II Poznań
The club operates a reserve team which currently plays in the Third Division, the fourth tier of the league pyramid and the highest non-centralised league.
They gained promotion in the 2003–04 season to the third tier after winning the league and beating Jarota Jarocin 2–0 twice, 4–0 on aggregate. In that same season they reached the First Round of the Polish Cup but were knocked out by Górnik Konin 3–1. In the 2006–07 season the reserve teams were scrapped in favour of a central youth league, but in the 2013–14 season they were reinstated, meaning that between 2007 and 2013 the team ceased to exist. They were reinstated to their previous league position for the 2013–14 season.
Lech Poznań Academy
The Lech Poznań Academy (Template:Lang-pl) is the club's youth system, with several teams across all children's ages up until its most senior U-19 youth team. The teams play in the Central Junior League, which was at first formed to replace the clubs' reserve teams which participated in the league pyramid. The club's youth system is one of the most extensive and advanced in the country and has produced many players which went on to play in the senior team.
KKS Wiara Lecha
KKS Wiara Lecha is a football club founded by Lech Poznań supporters in 2011. Only active supporters can play in the team and they have to have made a contribution to the supporter scene in order to be admitted to the squad.
Notable players
- Teodor Anioła - striker, the best all-time scorer in club's history with 141 goals in the First league (1948–57).
- Jarosław Araszkiewicz - midfielder/striker, won all five championship titles with Lech Poznań. Finished his career in the age of 38.
- Jacek Bąk - defender, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup, former player of French clubs Lyon and Lens.
- Jarosław Bako – the goalkeeper of Poland national football team in early 1990s
- Hieronim Barczak - defender, 367 league appearances for Lech.
- Edmund Białas - striker, along with Anioła and Henryk Czapczyk, created an offensive trio called A-B-C, which was very successful in the 1950s.
- Bartosz Bosacki - defender, played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup scoring two goals against Costa Rica. Played also in Bundesliga for 1. FC Nürnberg.
- Jerzy Brzęczek - midfielder, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, former Polish national team captain.
Jimmy Conrad - defender, USA national team member in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.- Henryk Czapczyk
- Jacek Dembiński - striker, played in German Bundesliga with Hamburger SV, currently plays for Lech.
- Ivan Djurdjevic - midfielder, played over 100 games for Lech and is currently the manager of the reserve team
- Roman Jakóbczak - midfielder, Polish national team member in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
- Andrzej Juskowiak - striker, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, former player of Sporting Lisbon, Olympiacos, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg.
- Mirosław Justek - defender, Polish national team member in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
- Jerzy Karasiński - goalkeeper, was considered one of Lech Poznań's all-time best players during a time when the team was short of success.
- Waldemar Kryger - defender, former player of German club VfL Wolfsburg.
- Janusz Kupcewicz - midfielder, bronze medalist in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
- Robert Lewandowski - striker, played in the UEFA Euro 2012 scoring goal against Greece, currently playing for Bayern Munich.
- Henryk Miłoszewicz
- Piotr Mowlik
- Mirosław Okoński - striker, one of the club's icons, especially loved by the fans, after winning with Lech two consecutive championships in 1983 and 1984, transferred to Hamburger SV, played also for Greek side AEK.
- Bogusław Pachelski
- Krzysztof Pawlak - defender, played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
- Jerzy Podbrożny - played also in MLS with the Chicago Fire.
- Arkadiusz Radomski - began his career with an episode for Lech, then moved to Dutch side SC Heerenveen, now plays for NEC. Made his appearance in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
- Piotr Reiss - striker, played also for Hertha BSC and MSV Duisburg.
- Artjoms Rudnevs - striker, currently playing for 1. FC Köln.
- Piotr Świerczewski - midfielder, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, former Bastia, Saint-Étienne and Marseille player.
- Łukasz Teodorczyk - striker, currently playing for Anderlecht.
- Mirosław Trzeciak - striker, played in Spanish clubs Osasuna and Poli Ejido.
- Maciej Żurawski- striker, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup, after playing for Lech, transferred to Wisła Kraków, after that to Celtic, and then to Omonoia.
Managers
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See also
References
- ^ http://www.lechpoznan.pl/bulgarska
- ^ "Bakero inspires Lech to City scalp". UEFA. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ^ "Pierwsza drużyna" (in Polish). Lech Poznań. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ http://www.lechpoznan.pl/druzyny,pierwszy,zespol
- ^ http://akademia.lechpoznan.pl/news/ivan,djurdjevic,,lech,poznan,to,wyzszy,cel#.VMfoLYcmP1B
- ^ Zenon Kubiak. "To pewne - Warta będzie grała na Bułgarskiej - Wieści - MM Moje Miasto" (in Polish). Mmpoznan.pl. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ "Stadion Miejski w Poznaniu (Stadion Lecha Poznań) –". Stadiony.net. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ "Stadiony piłkarskie w Polsce –". Stadiony.net. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
External links
- Official website Template:Pl icon Template:En icon
- Lech Poznan team profile at NaszaLiga.pl Template:Pl icon
- Team profile on Polish Football Clubs Database Template:Pl icon
- Website with photos from club matches
- Template:Dmoz Template:Pl icon
- Ultras videoblog