Day 2

The following day I made sure to come back to the stadium to get my ticket. I had seen the guys practice since their field is right next to the stadium so I figured I could see if there was any way I could get in to see the closed practice session. When I got there it was still early and I had about 30 minutes left till the tickets went on sale. I noticed that there were people inside the small building where the box office was located so I took the chance to talk to them and see where I could get with regards to watching the team.

It had to be my lucky day because not only was the cashier so nice but she sold me a ticket earlier to the soccer game. She also told me that the section where I got tickets for the fans had to be wearing the team colors. Fans are very particular when it comes to showing support for the team. So if you came and sat with no team colors you could be sure that the fans would run you out of there. This open area of the stadium was for fans to truly show their support and love with the team colors.

I was invited inside the box-office where I could pick my shirt and scarf that I wanted to purchase. As I was getting my size I asked if there was any way to see the soccer team practice but sadly I was told no. I could not see them since it was closed off. One of the other ladies came over to help me pick up my stuff and I explained to her that I came all the way from Canada and would really want to watch the guys practice. I also informed her that I was an author and it would mean the world to me.

By now the box office was nearing opening time so I had to hurry up. The amazing cashier told me once I get my shirt and scarf to wait and she would take me somewhere. To my surprise she lead me through a walkway to the main club building and on our way in we stopped to chat with someone. I was so surprised when the person we stopped to talk to was the teams coach Ryszard Tarasiewicz. How great was that? She introduces me to him and informed him who I was.
He said soccer is a lot like erotica…LOL…I bet it is…All those hunky players…the action…

She asked if there was any way I could see the guys in action during a round of practice. He was so nice and informed us that they were done with today’s round of practice but I can return tomorrow morning to watch. Was I excited? You bet I was….

I was so thrilled that I would have the chance to see the pro soccer team up close and personal.

After we left she continued to walk me inside through the official club where she took me to the marketing department and I was fortunate to meet one of the marketing specialists by the name of Lukasz Padewski. Once again I introduced myself and told him who I was. I had the chance to chat with him and ask him about the team and what kind of work he does. What it was like to be working with a pro soccer team. I must say he was a pleasure to talk to.

What I forgot to mention to you guys is without even knowing if I would meet the team or get to see them I brought with me two eight by ten team photo to get signed just in case. I though you never know.

I had asked Lukasz if there was any way to get the photo signed by the team and he surprised me when I got lead down another hall to a room. It was no ordinary room but the press room where the press conferences are held and the team comes to sign merchandise for fans, auctions and other events.

The players were slowly trickling in since they’d just finished practice and who do I see once again, none other than Amir Spahic. I shall not lie; he is so good on the eyes. After him Sebastian Dudek comes in to start signing everything.

Then I see Vuk Sotirovic (he is in the pic below) join the crowd. Another fantastic player I must add.

Imagine this both sides are lines with Puma soccer balls in different sizes to be signed. The table is lined with stacks of posters and photo’s and t-shirts. All I could wonder to myself is, how does your hand not hurt after you sign everything. Some of the soccer balls were going for auctions, special event causes and even the embassy.

After I introduced myself to the players who had come in I gave them my photo’s to be signed. Amir was so nice to personalize one of the photos for me while the other would stay for all the players to sign since they would come by during the next few hours or even tomorrow.
As I sat around I had the chance to talk to them about what it is like to be a pro player and what comes next after the season is over which would be after this last game which was this week and the game I had purchased a ticket to.

I asked them questions about trades and what teams they would want to play for. How they enjoyed being a part of WKS and if they planned on staying next season. What surprised me about all the players that I had the chance to talk to is how laid back they were. They didn’t act high and mighty because they were famous pro soccer players. They were kind and happy to talk to me. Answer my questions. I might be a soccer fan but I don’t know everything there is to know.

Being there and talking to the players the other thing that got me is how nice they were. It is something I’d heard from other soccer fans I’d spoken to. They had said that the players treated you like friends and not like fans. I got to see it firsthand. They were super nice and that left a lasting impression with me. Like I said before, most pro athletes here are not like that. You can’t sit and hang out with them to just talk. Security would not let you come close to an athlete and one could forget hanging out in the press area of the club building. Not unless you have connections or win a contest.

I must say the day was unforgettable. I don’t think I ever imagines how kind everyone from WKS Slask would be especially the players and I could not thank Lukasz Padewski enough for his kindness.

Come back tomorrow for part 3 of my soccer adventure. I will be posting more pictures and video footage from what happened.

Savannah