Geneza koszykówki w świecie, w Europie i w Polsce English)
Z Historia Wisły
Origins of Basketball in the World, Europe, and Poland
Basketball, commonly known as "koszykówka" in Polish, was created in 1891 in the United States. Long before its formal invention, various cultures engaged in ball games involving shooting balls into hoops. Ancient Egyptians, Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs are known to have practiced such games. In Europe, games involving throwing balls into iron hoops were known, such as the German game "Korfball" and the French game "Soule." Later, coal miners would pass time by trying to shoot a cloth ball into suspended coal baskets.
In 1891, the Springfield College Board of Education in Massachusetts announced a competition for a game that would ensure proper physical and mental development. James Naismith, a physical education instructor, won the competition with his invention, introducing the game into the university curriculum under the name "basketball." Basketball quickly evolved into an indoor sport that could be played year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
The first rules of the game were published on January 15, 1892. The inaugural official basketball game took place at Springfield College between teachers and students. Initially, the ball was thrown into a basket with a bottom, requiring retrieval with a ladder. Equipment improvements soon followed, including metal hoops and backboards. The number of players per team varied depending on the size of the gym, but it was gradually reduced to seven players per team and then to five players per team starting in 1896, which remains the standard to this day. Points scored from field goals were worth two points, and successful free throws were worth one point.
Basketball rapidly gained popularity across all continents and underwent gradual modifications. Since 1921, the sport has been known as "basketball." In 1898, the first professional basketball league, consisting of six teams, was established in the USA—the NBL (National Basketball League).
Basketball was featured in an exhibition tournament during the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. In 1910, further innovations were introduced, including three personal fouls allowed per player, and some venues began using glass backboards.
In 1930, the first World Championship was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the hosts won the title. In 1935, Latvia triumphed in the first European Championship in Switzerland. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was founded in 1932 in Geneva by eight national federations: Argentina, Latvia, Greece, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Portugal, and Romania. The first president was Swiss Leon Boufford.
Basketball made its Olympic debut in 1936 at the Berlin Games. The first ball in the game between Estonia and France was thrown by the sport's creator, James Naismith. In Poland, basketball appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. Maria Germanowa, an instructor with the Movement Association in Lwów, learned the rules of basketball during a training course in England and promoted the new game among Polish girls.
A women's basketball tournament was held as early as 1909. The game, which had a rule prohibiting "pushing, hitting, bumping, or elbowing opponents," quickly appealed to Polish women. After regaining independence, Poland saw publications promoting basketball. The sport also attracted the interest of members of the "Sokół" Gymnastic Society. Documented mentions of basketball in the Polish military and "Sokół" date back to 1921, which is also considered the year the Polish Basketball Association (OZKosz) was founded in Poznań. Basketball games were also played in Kraków's Jordan Park. The sport was further spread by the international organization YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association), which trained basketball instructors in many Polish cities. In 1925, the Polish Association of Sports Games was established, and in 1932, Poland joined FIBA.
Basketball has been systematically developing in Poland for nearly a century.
Source: Pyjos Roman and Pyjos Artur, "Under the Wisła Basket: Women and Men 1928-2006," Kraków 2006, pp. 9-10.
Press Reports Gazeta Krakowska, 1986, No. 250 (October 25/26), No. 11741
Which section has brought the most laurels and successes to "Biała Gwiazda" (the White Star)? Opinions will differ; for some, the football section will always be the most important, defining the club's identity. The successes of Wisła's football team are undeniable; they founded the club and their achievements have become a permanent part of Polish football history (6 league titles, Olympic gold medals won by Kazimierz Kmiecik and Antoni Szymanowski, many international successes).
However, there is a section within the club that, though much younger, boasts a greater record than the footballers. That is the basketball teams! The women's team has won the national championship 18 times, and the "Wawel Dragons" have been the best team in Poland seven times. They have also achieved significant international successes.
Under the leadership of coach Ludwik Miętta (who has 14 gold medals to his name), the women's basketball team reached the final of the European Cup in 1970, where they lost to the then world’s top team, the Soviet Union's Daugava Riga. The Wisła women also reached the European Cup semifinals four times. Such successes are to be admired! And the "Wawel Dragons"? Who among younger fans does not remember the grand basketball event in Kraków in 1965? As part of the FIBA festival, our city hosted the famous Real Madrid and the European national team. The team of Liksza, Malec, Langiewicz was very unfriendly to the esteemed guests, defeating Europe 78-70 and Real Madrid 85-70, securing first place in the festival. Another major success was the victory in the 1963 European Cup quarterfinals against the first European club team, CSKA Moscow, with a score of 75-72.
It all began in 1928 when the men's basketball section was established. The early years brought no successes, and in 1932, the section was dissolved. It was reactivated in 1937, and just two years later, Wisła's basketball players became champions of the city of Kraków in strong competition. Ariet, Ciepły, Bieniek, Papiński (team captain), and Dr. Stok were the architects of the first successes. Dr. Stok played in the 1936 Olympic Games.
Since 1948, the "Dragons" have continuously competed in the top league. They have won "gold" seven times, "silver" twelve times, played in the European Cup five times, and in the Cup Winners' Cup twice. The names of Bętkowski, Dąbrowski, Pacuła (team captain at the 1960 Rome Olympics), Wężyka, Wójcik, and later Liksza, Czernichowski, Langiewicz, Malec, and subsequently Andrzej Seweryn, Langosz, Ładniak, Gardziny, Międzik, and the currently playing Olympian from Moscow—Fikiel—are permanently etched in the history of Polish basketball.
The women's team has written an even more beautiful chapter, being national champions 16 times! The women’s basketball section was established only after the war in 1946. The team, then led by coach Groyecki, included many-time national representatives: Łaptaś-Oszastowa, Kirchanek, Kowalówka, and Mamińska-Knast. Here is a gallery of Polish champions: Szostak, Górka, Likszo, Ogłozińska, Wojtal, Wiśniewska, Biesiekierska, Januszkiewicz, Kaluta, Iwaniec, Jaworska-Seweryn, Jaskurzyńska-Jelonek, Starowicz.
A stellar lineup of outstanding female players. Regarding Halina Iwaniec, the opinion is unanimous: “She is the best playmaker in the history of Polish basketball.”
Indeed, the popular “Samanta” sees everything on the court, always choosing the most appropriate solution. She played 247 times for the national team with the "White Eagle," was called up to the European team, and twice won silver medals in European championships with her coach, L. Miętta. She still successfully directs the actions of younger teammates.
When I ask Ludwik Miętta what, in his opinion, is the foundation of Wisła's basketball success, he replies: “The enormous enthusiasm and dedication of athletes, coaches, and officials. There was a great unity and cohesion in action; everyone wanted to pull the cart in the same direction. Wisła was fortunate to have wise, forward-thinking officials. Professor Jan Janowski gave the section great momentum—he was the long-time head of the section, then succeeded by Józef Biel, also a long-term leader of the section. There were excellent officials, but there were also outstanding coaches, Jerzy Groyecki (a pioneer of modern training, succeeded by my interlocutor, who worked with the women's team for 27 years—editor’s note), Michał Mochnacki, Jerzy Bętkowski, and Jan Mikułowski.”
I ask L. Miętta about the most joyous moments in his coaching career. “There were many such moments, but the most satisfying was the championship title won in the 1968/69 season. We played weakened by the absence of Likszowa, yet: Szostak, Sułkowska, Wojtal, Górka, Wiśniewska won the gold medal, not losing a single game in the league! The huge joy came from reaching the European Cup final in 1970.”
I believe that Wisła's female basketball players have a great chance this season to once again win the gold medal, making it their 17th national championship title. One could say the basketball section at Wisła is truly golden. (ANS)
