Date: 17 April 2024 / League: Polish district cup (QF)
Final Score: 2-2 (2-1 on pens) / Attendance: approx. 750
Experience
I’m not sure there’s a country in Europe that has more bizarre or maddening kick-off times than Poland – but as awkward as they can be, who doesn’t love the idea of skipping work to make a 4.45 p.m. kick-off on a regular working Wednesday. And let’s face it, when it’s a district cup Quarter Final featuring two foes, then so much the better.
To introduce the visitors first, they’re something of a fallen angel. Playing in the top tier as recently as the 1990s, today KSZO find themselves plodding in the midst of the fourth step of Polski football. What you need to know, is that despite their fall from grace, they maintain a strong rivalry with the region’s biggest side, Korona Kielce of the highest league.
How’s that relevant, you might ask. Simple. Set about 30 minutes from Kielce, the small town of Jedrzejow has a sizeable fanbase of Korona fans. As such, this cup tie was seen as something of a derby with around 200 Korona Kielce supporters among the bumper crowd of 700.
Convenient train times too and from Warsaw made this an easy daytrip with no unnecessary lingering around, a good job given that Jedrzejow’s attractions don’t go far beyond a wacky-looking bus station painted in rainbow colours. Unable to find anywhere for a pint – or even a petrol station hot dog – I instead scooted straight to the ground. Reaching it with one hour to spare, the down-time gave plenty of opportunity to scout around this pleasant stadium.
Outside, that meant viewing a patriotic mural honouring the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, whilst inside, that involved sneaking into a classic away cage before the visitors arrived. I was glad of the chance to see it close up, for it’s an absolute belter.
Yet with Naprzod playing in the sixth tier, rarely does the away pen receive visitors – in fact, I’m told that KSZO’s 80 or so fans were the first to enter it in around five years. Basic bordering on brutal, it’s a gorilla cage bereft of anything you’d describe as useful: you know, such as a toilet.
The rest of the ground is far less oppressive with a club house in the corner and thin strips of seating running down the sides. Bucolic as it might look with all the trees rustling in the background, the atmosphere for this match was anything but sedate. Giving their all, the home fans made it an afternoon to remember with a couple of pyro shows, a ticker tape salute and a choreographed flag display. When they weren’t doing that, they were were busy goading KSZO. Though lacking hardcore lunacy, there was a throwback nasty vibe that felt old school and hostile.
As for the match, that finished two apiece. No need for extra time, it was straight to penalties. If the afternoon had already been enjoyable enough, it was about to get even more so. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more ridiculous shootout. Finishing 2-1 to the home team, at one stage you’d have been forgiven for thinking that the players were being paid to miss the target. All told, a very pleasing afternoon, and a fine calling card for the underrated joys of Poland’s district cup.
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