Arka Gdynia Draws with Lechia Gdańsk After Dramatic Match and Controversial VAR Decision

Friday's clash between Arka Gdynia and Lechia Gdańsk delivered fans emotions not seen in Pomeranian derbies for a long time. The start of the match unquestionably belonged to the Gdynia side, who imposed their style of play on the rivals. This dominance brought results in the form of two goals, one of which – scored by a 19-year-old player – was a spectacular long-range strike. The hosts controlled the course of the game, and a historic triumph over their eternal rival in the Ekstraklasa seemed within reach. However, the second half brought an unexpected twist. The Gdańsk side, despite the absence of their fans in the stands, showed immense determination and capitalized on a moment of defensive disorganization from the opponent, leveling the score at 2:2. The rivalry between Arka Gdynia and Lechia Gdańsk, known as the Tricity Derby, was born in 1964. For decades, it has been one of the most prestigious matches in Poland, defining the sporting identity of the region.The climax came in stoppage time when Arka scored a goal to make it 3:2. Referee Tomasz Raczkowski initially pointed to the center circle, but after intervention from the VAR staff and reviewing the monitor, he disallowed the goal. This decision was based on spotting a prior infringement and an assessment of the pitch quality, which left much to be desired that day. Arka's coach did not hide his anger, suggesting that the level of refereeing had adapted to the terrible state of the pitch. Meanwhile, Lechia's coach stated after the match that the draw result fairly reflected the entire course of the game, though he admitted the spectacle was extremely mentally exhausting. „Sędzia w tej kluczowej sytuacji niestety dostosował się do jakości murawy, która była tragiczna. To jest śmierdząca sytuacja.” (The referee in that key situation unfortunately adapted to the quality of the pitch, which was tragic. This is a stinking situation.) — Dawid Szwarga The post-match atmosphere thickened with every minute spent in the interview zone. The home players openly questioned the sense of further use of video technology, claiming it strips the sport of authenticity and harms teams in key moments. Despite the bitterness in Gdynia, the media emphasize that in footballing terms, this was the best derby match in many years. The record attendance confirmed the status of this event as the most important point in Pomerania's sporting calendar. This result significantly impacted the standings in the middle part of the table, giving an advantage to other teams, such as Piast Gliwice, which capitalized on the points split in the Tricity.