Arka Gdynia Draws with Lechia Gdańsk 2:2 Amid Record Attendance

The rivalry between Arka Gdynia and Lechia Gdańsk provided fans with a spectacle that will not be forgotten anytime soon. The Gdynia side started the match brilliantly, taking a two-goal lead, aided by a phenomenal goal from Jakub Stec. However, Lechia, showing great mental resilience, managed to claw back the deficit in the second half. Coach John Carver emphasized that the draw is a fair result, reflecting the attitude of both teams throughout the entire match. After the game, a frank conversation took place in the white-and-green dressing room, which, according to the players, was an impulse for better play after the break. Despite the sporting emotions, the main topic of discussion remains the work of the refereeing team. Derby was dominated by the hosts' grievances over an unpenned penalty. Coach Dawid Szwarga harshly commented on the level of officiating, comparing it to the terrible state of the pitch in Gdynia. Arka's owner, Marcin Gruchała, stated outright that his club feels cheated by the decisions of referee Paweł Raczkowski. The PZPN Referees' Committee addressed the issue, but it did not calm the mood in Gdynia, where players publicly questioned the effectiveness of the VAR system. The scale of criticism is exceptionally high, and the media describe the situation as scandalous, casting a shadow over a well-organized event in terms of security. The first official Tri-City derby was played in 1964. Since then, this rivalry, often called the 'battle for supremacy on the Coast,' has become one of the most tense clashes in Polish football.„Sędzia dostosował się do jakości murawy.” (The referee adapted to the quality of the pitch.) — Dawid SzwargaRegardless of regulatory disputes, the match proved to be an attendance success, setting a new record for the number of spectators at the stadium in Gdynia. The organizers emphasize that despite the high temperature among the fans of both teams seated in the stands, no serious incidents were recorded. The security services and police effectively secured the mass event area, which is not always the rule with visiting fans present. In the league dimension, the draw causes both teams to lose ground on the leaders, which was skillfully exploited by Piast Gliwice, moving up in the Ekstraklasa table. Arka once again this spring let a two-goal lead slip from their hands, raising questions about the team's concentration in the final stages of matches.