Derbies have their own rules. “The Law of Derbies” – premiere of the new CANAL+ series

To end the season, CANAL+ has prepared something special for speedway fans. On October 6, the CANAL+ online service will premiere a new documentary series about the long-standing, fierce rivalry between teams from Zielona Góra and Gorzów Wielkopolski. “The Law of Derbies” is a must-watch for every speedway fan.

The rivalry between the green-and-whites from Zielona Góra and the yellows from Gorzów has been heating up the speedway audience for years. Emotions on the track often translated to the stands and even beyond the stadium. For both sides, derby rivalry becomes the most important match of the season, and among local communities, the mobilization begins long before the first race. In the new CANAL+ production, fans will learn more about the history of the rivalry itself, the behind-the-scenes of this year’s derbies, and the most important events in the 2024 season – internal team relations, the role of coaches, or the performance of individual riders.

– Apparently, nothing writes a better script than life itself. From pre-season camps, through derbies, to the fight for survival, and through the playoffs, the moods and emotions in both neighboring teams changed. Many scenes of these changes were captured, complemented with stories from the main characters, and enriched with stories from the past, which are abundant for Stal and Falubaz. I quietly hope our production will shed a different light on the events of the ending season – said Mateusz Dziopa, one of the authors of the new CANAL+ production.

Filming for the 6-episode production began in 2023, on the backdrop of the PGE Ekstraliga, then 1st Speedway League, when CANAL+ cameras closely followed the actions of the team from Zielona Góra in their quest to return to the speedway elite.

– “Derby have their own rules” – we have known this slogan for years, repeated at least twice a year. But do we know what they are? The cameras of Przemek Błaszak and Kuba Dzionek accompanied both teams from the preparation period to the very end of the season. If life is the best screenwriter, we got a sensational action movie where emotions reach a climax, the main characters experience extreme emotions, but beyond the chase for points in the table, they are united by the desire to win. The first time I saw the Lubusz Derby live, it made a strong impression on me with its speedway magic, but only years later, being able to get inside this “Lubusz cauldron” did I understand what speedway is for the regions of Zielona Góra and Gorzów Wielkopolski. I invite you to embark on a journey through the 2024 season in the company of two of the most recognizable speedway brands under the direction of Przemek Błaszak. The Lubusz Derby is more than a match, and “The Law of Derbies” is more than any known applicable law – said Michał Łopaciński, CANAL+ journalist and one of the creators of the series.

The series also strongly outlines the historical context of the clash between Falubaz and Stal. The specifics of Zielona Góra and Gorzów Wielkopolski, the confrontational nature, or the answer to the question of why speedway in this region. All this and more in the new CANAL+ series. All accompanied by previously unpublished photos, statements from local historians, fans, journalists, and commentators.

– “Whether it’s my third, fifth, or tenth time racing in derbies, it will always be something special.” “If you want to experience extreme speedway atmosphere, come to the derbies.” This is how riders with renowned names describe the matches between Stal and Falubaz. That’s how it’s been for years, and it’s all because of politics. All it took was for one city to become the capital of the region, making the other feel inferior. And that was enough to spin the spiral of resentment towards each other, occasionally resulting in unrest in the stands, broken windows, stone-throwing, and clashes on the track. What is it all about? Find out in the series – explained Robert Sitnicki, CANAL+ journalist and one of the creators of the series.

The production is the responsibility of the CANAL+ speedway editorial team consisting of Robert Sitnicki, Michał Łopaciński, Mateusz Dziopa, Przemek Błaszak, Kuba Dzionek, and Maciej Glazik. The premiere of the first episode is on Sunday, October 6, only on the CANAL+ online service, with premieres of subsequent episodes on the following Sundays.