Polish football

I just came back from a soccer game with Wisla Krakow vs. Lech Poznan. I bought my ticket in advance. Good thing because the line to buy tickets at the door was long! I had to find my entrance and scan my fan card to enter. Security looked in my bag. 

The stadium looks nicely renovated. I remember last time I was there it was run down. That may have been 15 years ago!

Here is a photo of my ticket.

The section behind one of the goals was for the real "fanatics" (probably season ticket holders). They were loud and merry. There was someone leading the section in singing and yelling. I think they were standing the whole time. A drum section helped motivate the fans.There was a definite choreography to their hand movements that accompanied the yelling. I recognized the Wisla Krakow hymn. There was a coordination of yelling between the fanatics and everyone else of "Krakow", "Wisla" alternating. There were other songs and cries I was unable to understand. Here is the fan section standing during the match (all in red).

Here is a better photo of the stadium.

The fan section made a Polish flag with the team's emblem (perhaps with cards?) before the game.

It was a pretty good game. There were too many mistakes by Wisla Krakow, but they won 2-0. The first goal was a penalty kick (for tripping in the penalty box). The other goal was a one on one with the goalie. Both were in the first half. "Spalony" means off sides, I learned today. This is a picture at the beginning of the 2nd half. Wisla is in red.

This is at the end of the match when Wisla team walked around the field greeting its fans. 

The players yelled things in unison

to each end section of the stadium. Each end section responded in yelling. Not sure what they were saying.

I really like the atmosphere of live soccer in Europe. Here in Poland they applauded every good play by Wisla. They were enthusiastic.  They got into the match with singing and yelling. They were well behaved. Families brought young kids. I am looking forward to going again soon. They should be playing often in September.