Legia Warszawa
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| Full name | Klub Piłkarski Legia Warszawa SSA | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Wojskowi ("Militaries"), Legioniści ("Legioniers") |
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| Founded | March, 1916, as Drużyna Legjonowa |
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| Ground | Polish Army Stadium, Łazienkowska 3 Street, Warsaw (Capacity: 13,628 - upgrading to 31,800) |
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| Chairman |  Leszek Miklas(since 24 April 2007) |
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| Manager | Jan Urban (since 4 June 2007) |
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| League | Ekstraklasa | |||
| 2008–09 | Ekstraklasa, 2nd | |||
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 Current season |
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Legia Warszawa (pron. [ˈlɛgʲa varˈʂava], Leg-ya Var-sha-va), is a Polish 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 8 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 was as a result of some of their fans rioting during their match against the Lithuanian club FK Vėtra.[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]
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[edit] History
[edit] 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 April 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 Russian Cavalry.
[edit] 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 .
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 Inter Milan 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 Milan this time winning at home 3-2 but losing away 1-0 thus losing on away goals.
Legia also won its first Superpuchar Polski defeating Hetman Zamość 3-0 in 1989
[edit] 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.
[edit] Achievements
[edit] Domestic
- Ekstraklasa (First league):
- 1st place (8): 1955, 1956, 1969, 1970, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2006
- 2nd place (11): 1960, 1968, 1971, 1985, 1986, 1993, 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 (team Legia B), 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
[edit] 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
[edit] Legia in Europe
[edit] Current squad
The players in bold have senior international caps for their respective countries. Accurate as of 24 June 2009
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[edit] Players out on loan
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[edit] Reserve team
[edit] Sponsors
[edit] Notable players
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[edit] Retired numbers
- 10 Kazimierz Deyna (1966-78)
[edit] Coaches and managers
[edit] Main rivals
[edit] Warsaw derby
The Warsaw derby is a match between Legia and Polonia Warsaw.
| All matches | |||
| Matches | Legia wins | Draws | Polonia wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 25 | 13 | 13 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Legia punished with UEFA ban". Uefa.com. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind=1/newsid=560167.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
- ^ http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=512/newsid=574658.html
[edit] External links
- Official website (Polish)
- Unofficial website
- Unofficial website (English version only one updated regularly)
- Fans' community portal (Polish)
- Team profile at Naszaliga (Polish)
- LegiaLive Forum (Polish)
- Fan forum (Polish)
- The most popular polish Legia Warsaw weblog
