Bitter Welcome for Shakhtar in Krakow: Vulgar Chants Before Match

Shakhtar arrived in Krakow as the designated home side for the European tie. The draw against Lech complicated venue plans.

The Donetsk coach had hoped the match could move to Turkey before the first leg in Poznań. That relocation did not occur.

Match location and security

The game took place at Wisła’s stadium on Reymonta Street. Krakow police classified the fixture as a match of increased risk.

That designation is rare for European cup ties. Authorities monitored the event closely from the outset.

Pre-match atmosphere

Lech supporters made their presence felt early. Before kickoff they marched from the Main Market Square to the stadium.

Allied Cracovia fans joined the march. On the stands their support was loud and visible.

The first strong whistles began as Shakhtar’s goalkeepers entered for warm-ups. At that moment Lech fans launched vulgar chants before match, aimed at UPA and Bandera.

Those slogans grew louder when outfield players joined the warm-up. The stadium announcer had earlier appealed in Polish to “support Shakhtar, support Ukraine.”

Reception and context

The Donetsk team and its players were received more hostilely than usual on Polish soil. Such a bitter welcome in Krakow has been rare.

Club sources compared the atmosphere to the group-stage meeting with Legia Warsaw in the Conference League. Filmogaz.com recorded detailed reports of the pre-match scenes and reactions.