Fenix Trophy: European football is back to Krakow
Hello, Football fans and friends of the club! It has been a while since we last updated you on all things Dragoons.
This Saturday sees European Football come to Poland. A rarity some might say for this time of year!
The Dragoons welcome Prague Raptors to Krakow in the prestigious Fenix Trophy!
About the Fenix Trophy
The Dragoons are proud to participate and represent Poland in the second edition of the Fenix Trophy, a ground-breaking international sporting event, promoted by the Milan-based football club Brera Calcio.
The UEFA approved competition features 9 non-professional clubs from Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, Serbia and Czech Republic, chosen for their exceptional social, historical and cultural distinctiveness.
The Fenix Trophy is an experience of sporting exchange, meant to highlight best practices within non-professional football: sporting conduct, bonds with the local community, sustainability, use of technologies, and friendship among clubs.
The Dragoons were placed in Group B and are excited to welcome Afc DWS and Prague Raptors Football Club to Krakow!
Group B: Afc AWS and Prague Raptors
This weekend’s match will not be the Dragoons first one in the competition. Back in November, the Expats travelled to the Netherlands in their maiden fixture in the tournament. Sadly, a depleted squad fell to a 4-1 defeat to Amsterdam’s AWS, with Hugo Cruz scoring the Expats’ only goal.
Prague Raptors will be no easy task for the Dragoons. The team from the Czech capital had a successful campaign in the last edition of the Fenix Trophy. The Raptors topped their group on goal difference, but fell to a 2-0 defeat against FC United of Manchester from the UK in the final.
The Raptors ply their trade in the lower leagues of Czech football. They are currently midway through their league campaign and sit in 10th position. They have six wins, one draw and 8 defeats to their name so far this season.
Like the Dragoons, the Raptors are a multinational side and share the same club values in promoting diversity and inclusivity in football.
Pre-Season and Fenix Trophy preparation
The Dragoons have played 3 friendlies so far this year in preparation for the Fenix Trophy game and the upcoming season restart.
A good start to pre-season saw Płomień Sosnowice defeated 4-2. Michael Lamb bundled the ball home from close range to put the Expats ahead. An equaliser saw the game level at half time. Into the second half, the visitors took the lead, but a powerful free-kick from Rob Smits levelled the game at 2-2. The Dragoons upped the ante and a rebounded effort from Szymon Urzędowski and a curling Kuba Drobny effort from distance gave the Expats the win.
LKS Orzeł Radocza travelled to Krakow for the next pre-season fixture. A dominant display saw Rob Smits continue on the goal trail. Further strikes from Błażej Święcicki from the spot, Jamie Beattie (x2), Martin Voźenílek, Cedrick Mwamba, Josh Dawson and Mark Szczesnowicz saw the Expats claim a confidence boosting 8-2 victory.
In our last friendly outing the Dragoons faced LKS Wiślanie Wola Przemykowska. Rob Smits, new signing Jean Amour, Michał Nowak, Francesco Leuci and Jamie Beattie secured a 7-2 win.
Where to watch?
We are partnering up with Małopolski Związek Piłki Nożnej to bring you live broadcast of the match.
Join us in the stands at KS Prądniczanka Kraków to show support for the Dragoons (free admission) or watch it live on YouTube:
