Lechia Gdańsk is preparing for Sunday's derby clash with Arka Gdynia, set for 18 October at 20:30 at Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk. The match is expected to draw up to 37,500 spectators, with fans of both clubs from across the Pomeranian region already mobilising for the event.
The Gdańsk-based club, sitting fourth in the I Liga table with 16 points from ten games, enters the match on a run of four consecutive victories. Their latest win was a 2-1 away triumph over Stal Rzeszów on Monday. Arka Gdynia, meanwhile, occupies 16th place, in the relegation zone.
Fans across Pomerania
Lechia has its supporter clubs spread across almost the entire Pomeranian Voivodeship. Natural concentrations of its fans are found from Gdynia Karwiny, through Sopot, to Pruszcz Gdański. Fan clubs also operate in Kartuzy, Nowy Dwór Gdański, Sierakowice, Skarszewy, Malbork, Bytów, Pelplin, Starogard Gdański, Kościerzyna, Tczew, Chojnice, Czersk, and Słupsk.
Arka Gdynia has officially reported thirty-six fan clubs in the region. Its supporters dominate in Wejherowo, Puck, the coastal belt, and the Hel Peninsula. They also have a strong presence in Kashubia, particularly in Kościerzyna, but also in Kartuzy and Żukowo, plus a notable club in Tczew. The furthest Arka fans are said to travel from Człuchów and Prabuty.
Derby preparations
City authorities, along with services and club representatives, are coordinating preparations for the match. “Today, together with the services and club representatives, we met to prepare for this event,” said Piotr Borawski, deputy mayor of Gdańsk for mobility and safety.
For Lechia, which believes in a swift return to the PKO Ekstraklasa, possibly as early as next season, this derby is another step in that direction. The last meeting between these sides ended in a 2-2 draw in February.
This story first appeared at gol24.pl
