Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Pawel Maszczyk
Guest(s)
Release Date
19 October 2023
Duration
54 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Polish football fanatic Pawel Maszczyk explore the remarkable story of Górnik Zabrze, the Polish powerhouse that symbolised both footballing excellence and national identity during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Emerging from the ashes of post-war Silesia, Górnik Zabrze became a beacon of pride in a divided nation. Founded on the remnants of pre-war German clubs, they embodied the spirit of Poland’s industrial working class — tough, united, and endlessly ambitious. Backed by the local mining industry, Górnik possessed resources and infrastructure that allowed them to dominate the domestic game throughout the decade.
Under the leadership of visionary coaches like Michał Matyas, and driven by the brilliance of players such as Ernest Pohl, Włodzimierz Lubański, and Hubert Kostka, Górnik captured eight league titles between 1957 and 1972. Their peak came in 1970, when they reached the European Cup Winners’ Cup final, becoming the first Polish club to do so.
Their run to the final included the now-infamous coin toss semi-final against AS Roma, where fate rather than football decided who advanced. UEFA later scrapped the rule — proof of the injustice that lingered from that night. Though Górnik lost the final to Manchester City, they had already made history, proving that Eastern Europe could compete with the elite of the West.
This episode examines how Górnik’s rise laid the groundwork for Poland’s national team success in 1974, their tactical evolution, and how football’s social and political landscape shaped their story.
Górnik Zabrze 1965–1971 weren’t just miners — they were craftsmen of greatness.
Takeaways
Górnik Zabrze were the heartbeat of Polish football’s golden era.
Their Cup Winners’ Cup journey put Poland on the European map.
The coin toss semi-final changed UEFA rules forever.
Lubański and Pohl became icons of Silesian pride and skill.
Górnik’s legacy endures through their influence on the 1974 national team.
Górnik Zabrze 1965–1971: From Coal Dust to Continental Glory
In the heart of post-war Poland, Górnik Zabrze rose from industrial grit to football greatness. Formed from the remnants of pre-war German clubs, they became the pride of Silesia — a symbol of resilience, unity, and working-class triumph.
Between 1965 and 1971, Górnik dominated Polish football, winning multiple championships and carrying their success onto the European stage. Backed by the mining industry and led by the visionary Michał Matyas, the team played with power and precision — a perfect balance of labour and artistry.
Their golden moment came in 1970, when Górnik reached the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, defeating Roma in the semi-final after a legendary coin toss — one of football’s strangest and most controversial conclusions. Though they lost the final 2–1 to Manchester City, their journey changed UEFA’s rules forever and captured Europe’s imagination.
Stars like Włodzimierz Lubański, Ernest Pohl, and Hubert Kostka were national heroes, their performances inspiring Poland’s golden generation that would later shine at the 1974 World Cup.
Górnik’s style was a reflection of their roots: disciplined, tough, and intelligent — but always capable of beauty. Each goal felt like a victory for every miner, every fan who saw in them the story of post-war rebirth.
By the early 1970s, they weren’t just a club — they were a national institution, showing that greatness can be forged in the hardest conditions.
Górnik Zabrze 1965–1971 remain a team of legend — the miners who took on Europe and left a lasting mark on football history.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Post-war origins and the rebuilding of Polish football
The role of Silesian industry in Górnik’s rise
The 1970 Cup Winners’ Cup campaign and coin toss controversy
Legendary figures: Lubański, Pohl, Kostka, Matyas
The club’s legacy in shaping Poland’s national team
Eight-time Polish champions between 1957–1972
1970 Cup Winners’ Cup Final vs Manchester City
Semi-final coin toss win vs AS Roma
The rebuilding of Polish football through industrial patronage
Lubański’s record-breaking goals and captaincy
Górnik’s influence on Poland’s 1974 World Cup squad
Notable Manager
Michał Matyas, Ferenc Farsang
Notable Players
Włodzimierz Lubański, Ernest Pohl, Hubert Kostka, Jerzy Gorgoń, Stanisław Oślizło, Zygfryd Szołtysik, Roman Lentner, Henryk Latocha, Zbigniew Wilczek, Stanisław Czyżewicz, Jerzy Wilim, Marian Wilimowski
Style of Play
4-3-3 Formation, Compact Defence, Direct Counter-Attack, Aerial Threat, Physical Pressing, Community Spirit
Górnik Zabrze’s football in the late 1960s and early 1970s mirrored the qualities of their mining heritage — powerful, disciplined, and industrious, yet surprisingly elegant in execution. The team typically lined up in a 4-3-3, combining solid defensive foundations with quick, purposeful attacking transitions.
Manager Michał Matyas emphasised teamwork and spatial awareness. Central to Górnik’s system was captain Stanisław Oślizło, a commanding presence who anchored the defence and initiated attacks from the back. The midfield trio — often led by Zygfryd Szołtysik — provided both stamina and invention, linking the defensive solidity to the attacking flair of Lubański and Pohl.
Górnik’s approach blended physicality with technical ability. They pressed in short bursts, seeking to win the ball in midfield before transitioning into direct but controlled attacks. Crosses from wide areas were a constant weapon, with Lubański’s intelligent movement and finishing providing the final touch.
Their European campaigns showcased adaptability — against Roma and Manchester City, Górnik alternated between compact defensive lines and quick counter-attacks. Despite playing in harsh winter conditions domestically, their technical quality shone on continental stages.
Above all, Górnik’s football embodied unity. The players were seen not as stars but as representatives of a community — miners’ sons who carried the pride of a region every time they stepped onto the pitch.
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