“I have one request, maybe the last one, the first in many years. Give me this one Sunday, last Sunday, and then let the world collapse” – so in 1935 Mieczysław Fogg sang. And although he came from Warsaw, not Upper Silesia, he was sung by him, and the word written by Zenon Friedwald, they were never so valid in Katowice.
“Roll will be later”. Katowice said goodbye to Bukowa
Last spring, the local Giex returned to the football league after a 19 -year break. The fans may have concerned about how Rafał Górak's team will perform in the elite, but it seems that the team has settled at the highest level of play. After 24 matches played, there is as many as 11 points advantage over the relegation zone and no one in their right mind has to worry about whether he will stay in Katowice next season.
Despite this, on Sunday, March 9, several tears were shed in Upper Silesia. All because of the farewell to the “legendary Bukowa”, i.e. the stadium that has been active from 1955. The saying that such objects no longer have a truism, but indeed – being on the archaic but atmospheric object that day one could get the impression that this place was unique. This day was also unique. People wanted to be here and feel the incredible atmosphere for the last time.
– I told my mother to postpone dinner to the fifteenth. We wanted to be here. Grandpa walked, dad walked, and now I walk with my sons. The roulade will be later, first GieKS – Mr. Piotr tells us, whom we met behind the gates of the stadium. Together with his sons, like thousands of other fans, he is dressed in yellow. Anyway, the area around the stadium long before the first whistle of the judge resembles a sea of sunflowers. Music plays from the speakers, you can feel the characteristic smell of the stadium sausage, you can hear noisy conversations. – I have never seen such crowds an hour before the match – admits one of the fans, whom we pass at the entrance to the object. In his hand, apart from a scarf, he holds a packet of roasted sunflower. This is another attribute from the 90s.
The 90s, which fans reminded the setting. After all, Zinedine Zidane himself appeared in Katowice. The great flag with the image of the French legend and Marco Materazzi decorated one of the stands. “Hey, Zizou! Do you remember how you lost to Bukowa?” Italy asked. The scene we show below, fans gave an eloquent commentary: “The lost several future world champions were lost.” In this group, apart from the mentioned Zidan, they were Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry. On October 18, 1994, in the second round of the UEFA GieKS Cup, she beat Bordeaux 1: 0.
31 years after these events, many fans sit in the stands, who remembered the meeting with Zidan from a child's perspective. Today, as fathers, they brought their children to the stadium. – I was at the match against Bordeaux, Zidane was not such a star yet. I have been here for 35 years. My father brought me and I bring my son too. I will also take it to the new stadium – explains Mr. Krzysztof.
The atmosphere of Bukowa can be felt not only in the stands, but also in the building. Corridors like from a PRL hospital, characteristic stairs, or concrete entrances to the fan sectors. You can feel like in an old clinic and look for only registration windows. Or Adam Nawałka, who decided to celebrate a unique match with his presence.
Symbolism is added by the fact that the farewell to Bukowa fell on March 9. On this day, Jan Furtok – a man -institution, legend and idol of the Katowice stands, who died in November last year.
– How will I remember him? Always cheerful, smiling, with this characteristic mustache. An excellent footballer left, but also a very good man who in my opinion could like. It was the soul of the company. He liked to laugh and joke. It was hard to be sad with him. He was able to cheer everyone and with such people everyone feels cool and likes to spend time – This is how Jan Urban, a coach of Górnik Zabrze, recalled the gate in an interview with Sport.pl.
GKS Katowice supported him with equal cordiality and sentiment on Sunday. The Furtok on this day is honored several times: black and yellow-green balloons released into the sky, flags with his image and attaching a legendary attacker to the composition read before the match. The legendary attacker is the hero of the past, which is recalled by another banner suspended by fans. The slogan says: “From so many beautiful memories, I will not forget those from Bukowa.”
Observing the farewell to GKS and Bukowa, we write about what was happening in the stands, because little happened on the pitch. To put it simply: it was bored, and one action determined the final result. Adrian's assist and Sebastian Bergier's goal gave Giekie the desired three points. Last here. Almost everything that day is last and you can recall the words from Fogg's hit:
“This is the last Sunday,
Today we will part,
Today we will go away,
For eternal time “
Well, not quite. Bukowa will not be demolished. – The stadium will continue to serve GKS. Footballers will use it as a training facility. Whereas GieKSa players will play their league matches on it, as well as train, as it was so far – says Sport.pl Michał Kajzerek, spokesman for GKS Katowice.
The fans can already wait on March 30 – it will also be Sunday, although this time “the first”. On this day, the inauguration of Nowa Bukowa will take place, about 15,000 viewers will see the match with Górnik Zabrze. This is nearly three times more than it had a chance to watch matches at the old stadium.