Legia Warszawa v Warta Poznan

Posted on November 30, 2023

Date: 25 November 2023 / League: Polish top tier

Final Score: 2-2 / Attendance: 25,656

Experience

Coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of the foundation of the Żyleta – the gathering point for Legia’s most ardent fans – Saturday’s match against Warta Poznan saw the team mount a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 after falling two behind. For the most, however, all eyes were on a packed Żyleta. Producing a wall of sound, the first half saw a string of flag drops and pyro shows to honour the landmark date.

Born in 1973, the idea to create a place where more passionate followers could gather stemmed from a European Cup semi-final against Feyenoord in 1970. According to Legia’s website, the arrival of an organised group of visiting fans left local supporters gobsmacked.

“They walked around the city in large groups, decorated with scarves, top hats and clothes specially prepared for this occasion. In short, they looked like they were from another world,” says the website. Stuck behind an Iron Curtain, for Legia’s supporters Feyenoord’s fans presented a sight to behold – something to aspire to. “For the first time, they saw organised singing and chanting coming from the visitors sector,” reads the website.

Galvanised by what they had seen, Legia’s fan movement was born swiftly after. “Mothers and grandmothers knitted scarves,” says the website, “whilst flags were sewn at home.” Finally, in 1973, the Żyleta came into being.

Taking its name from the Iridium razor billboard hung close by, the original Żyleta was located in an open-air stand running down the side of the stadium. Quickly, it earned a legendary reputation thanks to the unbridled passion of those that converged. When the stadium was reconstructed in 2010, the Żyleta shifted to occupy the North Stand. Physically it had moved, but spiritually it remained the same – here, most would agree, lay the heart and soul of the club.

Often going internationally viral for their complex and sometimes controversial banner drops, Saturday proved a fitting celebration for this legendary end.