On Friday, February 20th at 8:30 PM, the eyes of Polish football will turn to Krakow, where the leader of the Betclic 1. Liga, Wisła Kraków, will face the runner-up, Wieczysta Kraków. This historic event in the second tier of Polish football will attract a record 33,000 fans to the stands. Although Wisła remains the favorite, the ambitious newcomer under the guidance of Kazimierz Moskal intends to cause an upset in a match that could define the fight for promotion to the top flight.

Top-of-the-table clash

A meeting between the leader and the runner-up of the Betclic 1. Liga. Wisła Kraków dominates the competition, but Wieczysta has climbed to second place after a series of wins.

Record attendance in Krakow

Organizers have announced a full house. Approximately 33,000 spectators will be in the stands, and tickets were already sold out on Monday.

Major setback for Wieczysta

The most expensive player in the club's history, Aleksandar Djermanović, will not play in the derby due to registration problems in the league system.

Moskal's sentimental return

Coach Kazimierz Moskal will lead Wieczysta against Wisła, the club where he spent most of his sporting career.

The upcoming clash at Reymonta Street is not just a local derby, but above all a duel between the two strongest teams currently in the 1. Liga. Wisła Kraków, led by Mariusz Jop, is confidently marching towards a return to the Ekstraklasa, maintaining a significant lead over the rest of the pack. Their rival, Wieczysta Kraków, is a phenomenon of Polish football, which, thanks to the powerful financial backing of its owner Wojciech Kwiecień, has rapidly risen from the lower leagues. They currently occupy second place in the table, making this match a direct clash for supremacy in the league. Coach Mariusz Jop emphasizes that Wieczysta currently possesses a squad of unprecedented quality in the history of this league, a result of well-thought-out and expensive transfers. However, the visitors will be weakened by the absence of their most expensive player – Serbian defender Aleksandar Djermanović. The reason for his absence is complicated registration procedures which prevented the player from being registered on time. Meanwhile, the hosts' squad situation is stable, with players like Julius Ertlthaler ready to play. Fans expect an exciting spectacle, confirmed by the fact that all 33,000 tickets were sold out several days before the match. The rivalry between Wisła and Wieczysta at the professional level is a new phenomenon; just a few years ago, the clubs were separated by five league tiers. The first league confrontation between these teams took place in the autumn of 2025. An added spice to the duel is the person of the visiting coach. Kazimierz Moskal, currently the coach of Wieczysta, is a legend of Wisła Kraków, with whom he was associated for decades as a player and coach. As he admits, returning to the stadium on Reymonta Street as a rival stirs great emotions, but the priority remains the tactical plan aimed at stopping the leader. Despite huge financial outlays on star salaries, Wieczysta still struggles with building interest from the local community, which contrasts with the massive attendance expected at Wisła's stadium. „In the history of the 1. Liga, probably no team has ever made such strong transfers. These are not random moves, but a well-thought-out team building.” — Mariusz Jop „I appreciate the importance of a derby event, but we must approach this match with a cool head and an ambitious plan.” — Kazimierz Moskal

Mentioned People

  • Mariusz Jop — Coach of Wisła Kraków, recording excellent results in the current season.
  • Kazimierz Moskal — Coach of Wieczysta Kraków, a legend of Wisła Kraków, aiming for promotion with his new club.
  • Wojciech Kwiecień — Owner of Wieczysta Kraków, a businessman investing millions in the club's development.
  • Aleksandar Djermanović — Serbian defender, the most expensive signing in the history of Wieczysta Kraków.