PZPN

"Today's ceremony is a celebration of the entire football family in Poland. We want to recall the most important values that shape our identity. We would also like to thank and honour the heroes of Kazimierz Górski's legendary team in a special way", said Cezary Kulesza when opening the gala. Moments earlier, the President of the Polish Football Association warmly welcomed all the guests, including President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Aleksander Čeferin, FIFA representatives (President Gianni Infantino was unable to fly to Poland, but sent a special video with his best wishes), the Board of the Polish Football Association, representatives of Regional Football Associations and football clubs, as well as other invited guests, 600 of whom arrived at the Warsaw Hilton.

The main stars of the gala were members of the Polish national team, which placed third at the 1974 World Cup. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that great success. Six victories in seven matches, the titles of top scorer for Grzegorz Lato (7 goals) and second top scorer for Andrzej Szarmach (5 goals). On top of that, three players in the best eleven of the tournament (Kazimierz Deyna, Robert Gadocha and Grzegorz Lato), as well as the top score in the ranking of the most successful World Cup teams (with 16 goals). The successes of Kazimierz Górski's team at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany can make one's head spin.

Storming through the tournament, the Poles presented a spectacular, offensive and imaginative game. They defeated Argentina (3:2), Haiti (7:0), Italy (2:1), Sweden (1:0) and Yugoslavia (2:1). In a match that would have seen them advance to the grand final, they lost 0:1 to tournament hosts, the Federal Republic of Germany. Notably, the match in Frankfurt am Main took place in abnormal conditions, as a torrential downpour passed over the stadium before the game, turning the pitch into an enormous mud pit. In the match for 3rd place, the White-and-Reds defeated Brazil, the then world champions, 1:0 after a goal by the reliable Lato.

Kazimierz Górski's team were given a grand welcome in Warsaw. The players rode through the streets on an open-top bus, amidst a crowd of cheering fans. The 1974 Polish national team received a grand round of applause on Tuesday evening as well. They received commemorative coins, which were created in cooperation with the Mint of Poland, as well as special albums titled "50 Years of Glory. Heroes of the 1974 World Cup", prepared by the editors of "Łączy nas piłka" and published jointly with "Przegląd Sportowy". Gold medals for outstanding achievements in the development of football were also awarded to: Mirosław Bulzacki, Roman Jakóbczak, Zdzisław Kapka, Zygmunt Kalinowski, Henryk Kasperczak, Marek Kusto, Zygmunt Maszczyk, Andrzej Szarmach, Jan Tomaszewski and Henryk Wieczorek.

For the sake of historical accuracy, let us note that individual representatives of the 1974 team had already been awarded the highest honours of the Polish Football Association. Diamond Medals of the Polish Football Association were awarded to Kazimierz Górski, Jacek Gmoch, Andrzej Strejlau and Grzegorz Lato. Gold Medals were awarded to Lesław Ćmikiewicz, Jan Domarski, Jerzy Gorgon, Kazimierz Kmiecik, Antoni Szymanowski and Władysław Żmuda. Lastly, the Golden Badge of Honour of the Polish Football Association was awarded to Kazimierz Deyna, Robert Gadocha, Zbigniew Gut and Adam Musiał.
"Lucjan Brychczy was also due to receive the PZPN Diamond Medal on Tuesday evening, yet life writes its own scenarios. Lucjan died on Monday. Let us pay tribute to him", said gala host Aldona Marciniak. "Lucjan Brychczy was applauded by fans all his life. Now we have the chance to give him another round of applause together", added Krzysztof Marciniak, the other host.

The Diamond Medal was also awarded to Janusz Garlicki, a long-time Olympic team and national football team doctor. During his career, the White-and-Reds won two medals in the World Championships (1974, 1982), as well as gold (1972) and silver (1976) Olympic medals. “Our sincere congratulations and thanks for the unforgettable emotions that have gone down in the history of Polish football forever Your passion, determination and achievements are an inspiration for generations to come!” said President Cezary Kulesza and then added: “Respect for tradition and remembrance of our history is a source of inspiration for facing the challenges of Polish football today. One of such challenges is the development of women's football. It is with great satisfaction that I can announce that today, on the occasion of this beautiful anniversary, we will officially launch the Outstanding National Team Players Club. For the gentlemen will now be joined by the ladies”.

Women's football was the talk of the town on Tuesday evening, as the Polish women's national team won the return leg against Austria after a good match and advanced to the final tournament of the European Championships for the first time ever! The only goal for the White-and-Reds was scored in extra time by the reliable Ewa Pajor.

“Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mr President on the success of the Polish women's national team. Poland will host the final of the UEFA Conference League this year, and who knows, maybe a Polish team will play in that final. I wish you at least another 200 years,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin during the Gala of the 105th anniversary of the Polish Football Association.

The development of women's football is one of the four main pillars of the federation's strategy. The Polish Football Association is creating the best possible conditions for women's football to gain the attention and prestige it deserves. This decision of the Board of the Polish Football Association is not only the implementation of one of the strategic commitments of the federation's current ‘’Women's Football Strategy in Poland for 2022–2026‘’, but first and foremost the honouring of Poland's most outstanding female footballers.

At Tuesday's gala, former and current Polish representatives who have played 80 or more matches in the senior national team and players who had appeared in at least 60 matches as part of the most important women's national team by 12 December 2013 (such a limit was then in force) have officially joined the Outstanding National Team Players Club.

1. Maria Makowska 111

2. Agnieszka Winczo 109

3. Marta Otrębska 101

4. Ewa Pajor 95*

5. Ewelina Kamczyk 93*

6. Agnieszka Szondermajer 90

7. Jolanta Siwińska 88

8. Natalia Chudzik 87

9. Martyna Wiankowska 86*

10. Patrycja Pożerska 84

11. Dominika Grabowska 81*

12. Anna Żelazko 79

13. Anna Gawrońska 78

14. Agnieszka Leonowicz 64

It was an evening full of big emotions. History inspires us, the present motivates us and the future drives us forward. United by Football!