When in 2009 we embarked on a huge and expensive task of building big sports facilities in Gdansk and Sopot, we were hoping for a gradual return of the public funds investment in the near future. It came faster than we expected, and in many forms. Our Stadium Energa in Letnica and Ergo Arena on the border of Sopot and Gdansk are two great facilities serving, as it turns out, all Baltic rim countries, bringing more and more visitors to our new and invigorated city on the Gdansk Bay.
Ergo Arena in Gdansk & Sopot. Photo: J. Pinkas
In 2012 we hosted European Football Championships with a brand new network of roads, infrastructure, and a beautiful new stadium, of course. With a great organizational success Gdansk graduated to higher European league of sports events hosts.
Stadium Energa Gdansk. Photo: J. Pinkas
Recently we hosted European Handball Championships. Poland has a great handball team, but in Denmark handball is a national sport. No wonder that more than two thousand fans came to cheer their team playing at Euro Championships in Gdansk. Some came for one day, but more for a longer time. They count on medals. And to have some fun in Gdansk!
We in Gdansk don't mind. On the contrary, visits with a theme or a definite agenda are a great opportunity for guests to discover a new place and for the hosts to welcome visitors that otherwise would not have come. Old and young, seniors and students they brought extended families: grandparents, parents, grandchildren. There were also people in wheelchairs. It was good to see and admire how they identify with the national team without discrimination.
Danes were among the favourites for Handball European championships held in Poland. Danish fans were not disappointed: their team easily dominated first Russian, then Hungary in Gdansk.
Some only recently discovered how conveniently located Gdansk is. They came by cars, buses, some flew in. Most claim they would come back.What was their plan in Gdansk? For the most part the same: handball, beer and a trip to the city.'
Photo: J. Pinkas
Danes gathered at the Ergo Arena perfectly know their players, and treat them as celebrities. They greeted them very warmly and took pictures with them. The biggest star on the team is Mikkel Hansen, who plays with distinctive white hair band, and is the best earning handball player in the world.
Even our local handball team players came specifically to admire the Danes, especially with their goalkeeper Niklas Landin, considered one of the best in the world.
The Danes paid back to their fans by winning with Russia 31:25. All were happy, perhaps with the exception of some local handball fans, who complained that three days of championships were not enough.
Photo: J. Pinkas
Fans turned up in big numbers to Ergo Arena. Every day was almost complete.
On Wednesday, January 20, when hosting the last two matches in Gdansk, the stands attendance - during an evening meeting of Danes and Hungary - more than 8300 people. Among them faithful Danes, Hungarians, Russians and Polish fans of Euro 2016 who had the opportunity to sing their sports chant: "Poland, white and red".
Sports events like this have an exceptional potential to bring together people from all over the world. I consider it a big added value of the championship for our city and region.