The Holy War (Polish: Święta Wojna), also known as the Kraków derby (Polish: derby Krakowa), is a rivalry in Polish football between Wisła Kraków and KS Cracovia, the two biggest clubs in Kraków and reportedly the oldest in Poland, both founded in 1906.[1] The term Holy War was coined by the defender from KS Cracovia, Ludwik Gintel. It is also the theme of a song devoted to their never-ending shenanigans, played by Andrusy.
 Wisła Kraków supporters displaying banner "Army of the White Star", 2011 | |
| Location | Kraków |
|---|---|
| Teams | Wisła Kraków KS Cracovia |
| First meeting | 20 September 1908 |
| Statistics | |
| Most wins | Wisła Kraków (85-60-42) |
Highlights
editThe earliest extant records of the Holy War originate from the newspaper published on 20 September 1908 informing that the match played at Błonia Park between the two teams resulted in a 1:1 draw.[2] Earlier matches were also reported, but their results are missing from archives of the local media. The first competition in accordance with the 1904 official FIFA standards, took place on 8 May 1913 at the Cracovia stadium in Kraków, with the home team winning over Wisła 2:1.
The Holy War is considered the most intense rivalry in Poland and one of the most intense in all of Europe. Despite the fact that the two stadiums are less than a kilometer away, the fans are two bitter rivals against each other, often resulting in fights between them as well as the police.[1]
Clubs
editCracovia and Wisła Kraków are two of the oldest still existing football clubs in Poland.[3]
| Club comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cracovia | Wisła Kraków | |
| 13 June 1906 |
Date founded | September 1906 |
| 5 (first championship – 1921) |
Champions of Poland | 13 (first championship – 1927) |
| 1 | Polish Cup | 5 |
| 1 | Polish SuperCup | 1 |
| 44 | Seasons played in Ekstraklasa | 81 |
| 21 August 1921 | Debut in the competition for the Polish championship | 12 August 1923 |
| 25 March 1928 | Debut in Ekstraklasa | 3 April 1927 |
| 2 | Top goalscorers in Ekstraklasa | 20 |
| Ekstraklasa | Current league level (2022/2023) | I liga |
Cracovia stadium (Capacity: 15,114) |
Stadium | Wisła Kraków stadium (Capacity: 33,326) |
All-time results
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- 1982 Puchar Polski match ended 2 - 2, Wisła won 5 - 3 on penalties.
Players on both sides
editIn the following, all players are listed who were under contract with the first team of both clubs from the first season played in the Polish First League in 1927.
| Name | Position | Wisła Kraków | KS Cracovia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | 2015–2016 | 2012 | |
| Forward | 2008 | 2009–2011 | |
| Defense | 1978–1990 | 1991–1993 | |
| Forward | 2007–2009 | 2011 | |
| Forward | 2000–2001 | 1996–1997 | |
| Defense | 1971–1983 | 1983–1985 | |
| Defense | 1998–2000 | 2003–2005 |
Notes and references
edit- ^ a b "Święta Wojna (The Holy War)". Wisla Krakow - Cracovia Krakow. Footballderbies.com. 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Editorial (September 2, 2012). "Wiślackie Kalendarium: pierwsze mistrzostwo, pierwszy puchar". Stowarzyszenie Kibiców Wisły Kraków. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ LoveKraków. "Cracovia czy Wisła? "Święta Wojna" – na stadionach i ulicach". LoveKraków. Retrieved 1 August 2020.