Teams --> Legia

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). The club's home venue is the Polish Army Stadium. Legia is one of the most successful Polish football clubs in history winning a total of 9 league championships and a record 14 Polish Cups.

History

Legia played its first match in first league in Łódź on May 8, 1927 against ŁKS Łódź, winning 6:1. Marian Łańko scored the first league goal for the club (in the same game he scored hat-trick). Since 1930 Legia had been playing at the Polish Army Stadium, the construction of which was a gift to the club from Józef Piłsudski. In 1936 Legia was relegated to the second division, where it remained until the end of World War II .

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 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.

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.

Legia in Europe

Current squad

The numbers are established according to the official website: legia.com

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable former players

This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

Main rivals

Warsaw derby

The Warsaw derby is a match between Legia and Polonia Warsaw.

Supporters

In Poland, Legia's fans are friends with the supporters of three Polish soccer clubs; Pogoń Szczecin (since 70's), Zagłębie Sosnowiec (since 70's) and Olimpia Elbląg (since very early 21st century). Outside of Poland, Legia's fans have a friendship with the supporters of ADO Den Haag (since 1983) and Juventus F.C. (since 2005) (ADO and Juventus are friends too).

Even though both Pogoń and Zagłębie are Legia's friends, they aren't friendly to each other. During the games, many times hostilities broke out between the supporters of both teams. Legia tried to convince them to make a friendship but it didn't work. During the games between the two, Legia's fans do not support any side.

As with all Polish soccer teams, Legia's ultras and supporters stand strongly on the Right political spectrum. During the games, supporters of Legia are known for chanting patriotic and anti-communistic chants. Club's ultras often perform patriotic and right-wing oriented visuals.

References

External links

Wikipedia