The Holy War
Pitch Invasion has a great post up today examining the Wisla Krakow-MKS Cracovia derby in Poland, which is described by the author as “perhaps the most intense derby in the world,” and is nicknamed “The Holy War.” Most intense derby in the world? A lofty claim, yes, we know. Especially considering some of the other heated city rivalries that command our attention and capture our imagination like Boca-River, Celtic-Rangers, Inter-AC Milan, and of course NY/NJ Red Bulls-Long Island Rough Riders (joking).
Going beyond the wildness on the pitch, this article offers a great history of the political implications intertwined with these two teams, Krakow, and Poland itself.
And the violence that comes along with these matches seems pretty serious as well.
The Holy War tends to have a literal meaning for some. When Wisla reserves were playing Clepardia in the Polish Cup, they had to come to a district dominated by Cracovia fans. Before the game Clepardia players supposedly told their rivals: “They’ll get you after the game anyway”. Just after the final whistle, a group of up to 40 hooligans attacked the Wisla players. According to some witnesses, they were armed with knives or even axes. Before police came, several players had to run between the blocks for safety.
I’ve heard and read a few times that the first victim of the Holy War was the wife of a Cracovia fan in 1930s smothered by her husband in the stadium. She was supposed to have asked him just before full time: “Which team is ours?”. This might be an urban myth, but the fact is, when a couple of people approach you in the street, the last question you want to hear is “Who do you support?”
All in all, a great article. Big ups to Michal Karas for writing it.
Pitch Invasion - A Holy War in Poland
