Welcome to the AFC members’ newsletter for November.
October saw The Knaves lose their first game, a 2-1 loss away at Ursus III Warszawa, as well as dropping two valuable points against Nowa II Wies, before finishing the month by getting back to winning ways with a 4-0 win against Unia II Warszawa.
As you can see from their names, three of the four teams we played against in October - Ursus III Warszawa, Nowa II Wies, and Unia II Warszawa - are their respective club’s second or third teams. A lot of bigger clubs (and some smaller ones) use the lower leagues in Poland to provide a platform for their younger players to get experience playing senior football, rather than playing in the U19 leagues.
Ursus Warszawa in particular are a big club for the level, and you can read more about them below. Their first team play in the Polish IV league, the fifth level on the Polish football pyramid, and their second team currently sit top of Liga Okregowa, Group II - the seventh tier in the pyramid. We play in the ninth tier. A lot of their players tend to bounce between their first and second team, or their second and third team, with players allowed to play for two teams in one weekend, provided they did not play more than 45 minutes for the higher ranked team.
When we played against Ursus’ third team, they were full of players with experience in their second team, with some having been on the bench in the first team. This is not to make excuses for the defeat, but we have to be encouraged with how close we pushed them, and a sign that we are heading in the right direction as a club. They have only dropped two points so far this season, and look a strong bet for promotion, but with continued improvement on our side, we look forward to playing them again in the spring round!
November sees us play the last two games of the autumn round before a long winter break. We hope to finish the round with six points, holding on to our automatic promotion place heading into the four month long break.
Thanks as always for your support - Up The Knaves!
Welcome to the AFC members’ newsletter for November.
October saw The Knaves lose their first game, a 2-1 loss away at Ursus III Warszawa, as well as dropping two valuable points against Nowa II Wies, before finishing the month by getting back to winning ways with a 4-0 win against Unia II Warszawa.
As you can see from their names, three of the four teams we played against in October - Ursus III Warszawa, Nowa II Wies, and Unia II Warszawa - are their respective club’s second or third teams. A lot of bigger clubs (and some smaller ones) use the lower leagues in Poland to provide a platform for their younger players to get experience playing senior football, rather than playing in the U19 leagues.
Ursus Warszawa in particular are a big club for the level, and you can read more about them below. Their first team play in the Polish IV league, the fifth level on the Polish football pyramid, and their second team currently sit top of Liga Okregowa, Group II - the seventh tier in the pyramid. We play in the ninth tier. A lot of their players tend to bounce between their first and second team, or their second and third team, with players allowed to play for two teams in one weekend, provided they did not play more than 45 minutes for the higher ranked team.
When we played against Ursus’ third team, they were full of players with experience in their second team, with some having been on the bench in the first team. This is not to make excuses for the defeat, but we have to be encouraged with how close we pushed them, and a sign that we are heading in the right direction as a club. They have only dropped two points so far this season, and look a strong bet for promotion, but with continued improvement on our side, we look forward to playing them again in the spring round!
November sees us play the last two games of the autumn round before a long winter break. We hope to finish the round with six points, holding on to our automatic promotion place heading into the four month long break.
Thanks as always for your support - Up The Knaves!
Match Reports
04/10/2025 FC Komorów Gminny Ośrodek Sportu w Granicy Full Time: 4-0 Scorers: Danilczuk, Peurini x2, Colakoglu
The team started off October with a match against fellow promotion hopefuls Komorów in a battle for who would end the week in top spot. Due to timings of our pitch reservations at Hutnik the match took place in Granicy where Komorów play their home matches.
As with many lower league teams - ourselves very much included - some weeks certain teams aren’t at full strength and that was the case with our opponents. However, they still were able to field a strong team and AFC had to be at their best.
On a hot autumnal day, first half goals from Bartosć Danilczuk and Alessandro Peurini had The Knaves in a commanding position. Further goals from Colakoglu and a second for Alessandro made sure it was AFC who came away with 3 points.
12/10/2025 RKS Ursus Warszawa III Gen. Kazimierza Sosnkowskego 3, Ursus Full Time: 2-1 Scorers: Sodal
After a positive result the week before against one of the league’s top teams, AFC came unstuck for the first time this season, going down 2-1 to another team at the top of the table, Ursus III Warszawa. We knew going into the game that this was likely to be one of the toughest games we’d play, and it turned out to be exactly that. Ursus controlled most of the possession early on, although without creating too many opportunities. They did break the deadlock on 18’ after a bit of a defensive mix-up from The Knaves. We showed great character though by bouncing back, being more aggressive in our pressing, and scoring a really well-worked goal just three minutes later to make the score 1-1. Vade Sodal with the finish. That’s they way the game stayed until the 73rd minute when Safjanski scored a back post header to put the home side back in front. Once again though, we showed that opposition teams will have to work hard to beat us this season, and both Puerini and Cara brought good saves out of the opposition GK. Marco Cara’s strike would have been a spectacular late equaliser, but the Ursus GK’s save was equal to it. It was good to see Wessel Struiwig finally get on the pitch for his debut, after signing in the summer. With AFC chasing the game he slotted into a back three in a slight formation change. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him in the coming weeks. A first defeat then, but not too disheartening given we were playing against a big club, and a group of really good young players who regularly play their football two leagues higher, for Ursus’ second team.
12/10/2025 Gen. Kazimierza Sosnkowskego 3, Ursus Ursus III Full Time: 2-1 Scorers: Sodal
After a positive result the week before against one of the league’s top teams, AFC came unstuck for the first time this season, going down 2-1 to another team at the top of the table, Ursus III Warszawa. We knew going into the game that this was likely to be one of the toughest games we’d play, and it turned out to be exactly that. Ursus controlled most of the possession early on, although without creating too many opportunities. They did break the deadlock on 18’ after a bit of a defensive mix-up from The Knaves. We showed great character though by bouncing back, being more aggressive in our pressing, and scoring a really well-worked goal just three minutes later to make the score 1-1. Vade Sodal with the finish. That’s they way the game stayed until the 73rd minute when Safjanski scored a back post header to put the home side back in front. Once again though, we showed that opposition teams will have to work hard to beat us this season, and both Puerini and Cara brought good saves out of the opposition GK. Marco Cara’s strike would have been a spectacular late equaliser, but the Ursus GK’s save was equal to it. It was good to see Wessel Struiwig finally get on the pitch for his debut, after signing in the summer. With AFC chasing the game he slotted into a back three in a slight formation change. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him in the coming weeks. A first defeat then, but not too disheartening given we were playing against a big club, and a group of really good young players who regularly play their football two leagues higher, for Ursus’ second team.
12/10/2025 Gen. Kazimierza Sosnkowskego 3, Ursus Ursus III Full Time: 2-1 Scorers: Sodal
After a positive result the week before against one of the league’s top teams, AFC came unstuck for the first time this season, going down 2-1 to another team at the top of the table, Ursus III Warszawa. We knew going into the game that this was likely to be one of the toughest games we’d play, and it turned out to be exactly that. Ursus controlled most of the possession early on, although without creating too many opportunities. They did break the deadlock on 18’ after a bit of a defensive mix-up from The Knaves. We showed great character though by bouncing back, being more aggressive in our pressing, and scoring a really well-worked goal just three minutes later to make the score 1-1. Vade Sodal with the finish. That’s they way the game stayed until the 73rd minute when Safjanski scored a back post header to put the home side back in front. Once again though, we showed that opposition teams will have to work hard to beat us this season, and both Puerini and Cara brought good saves out of the opposition GK. Marco Cara’s strike would have been a spectacular late equaliser, but the Ursus GK’s save was equal to it. It was good to see Wessel Struiwig finally get on the pitch for his debut, after signing in the summer. With AFC chasing the game he slotted into a back three in a slight formation change. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him in the coming weeks. A first defeat then, but not too disheartening given we were playing against a big club, and a group of really good young players who regularly play their football two leagues higher, for Ursus’ second team.
18/10/2025 AMT Nowa Wieś II Gminny Ośrodek Sportu w Granicy Full Time: 2-2 Scorers: Razes, Pott (pen)
After our first defeat of the season It was a similar tale to two weeks ago with AFC travelling to a ‘home’ game due to similar reasons. With Nowa Wieś also playing on the same pitch as Komorów it was back on the road to Granciy. What wasn’t as welcoming this time was the weather. Whereas it was t-shirt weather only 2 weeks previous this time the match was played under constant rain and a swirling wind. However, The Knaves started strongly in the unfavourable conditions and found themselves two goals up just after the half hour mark. Another goal this season for defender Coretin Razes and a Sebastian Pott penalty, after Patrick Tanner had been pushed over in the penalty area, put a deserved scoreline on the contest. However, AFC managed to concede a goal just before half time to make the match finely balanced once more.
The second half was probably AFC’s toughest so far this season and Nowa Wieś equalised with five minutes left for a deserved point.
04/10/2025 FC Komorów Gminny Ośrodek Sportu w Granicy Full Time: 4-0 Scorers: Danilczuk, Peurini x2, Colakoglu
The team started off October with a match against fellow promotion hopefuls Komorów in a battle for who would end the week in top spot. Due to timings of our pitch reservations at Hutnik the match took place in Granicy where Komorów play their home matches.
As with many lower league teams - ourselves very much included - some weeks certain teams aren’t at full strength and that was the case with our opponents. However, they still were able to field a strong team and AFC had to be at their best.
On a hot autumnal day, first half goals from Bartosć Danilczuk and Alessandro Peurini had The Knaves in a commanding position. Further goals from Colakoglu and a second for Alessandro made sure it was AFC who came away with 3 points.
25/10/2025 MUKS Unia Warszawa II Obrońców Tobruku 11, Warsaw Full Time: 0-4 Scorers: Pott, Beubry-Neijinsky, Tanner, Mączka
After a couple of disappointing weeks, it was important for the Knaves to bounce back — and they did just that with a convincing win. The team started strongly and could easily have scored two or three early on, but it was Seb Pott who broke the deadlock in the 7th minute.
MUKS Unia had a few half-chances but never really looked like troubling the defence. The Knaves continued to control the game and eventually ran out 4–0 winners — a result that puts them firmly back on track.
October was a mixed month for The Knaves, with four matches bringing a blend of highs and lows. We secured two impressive 4–0 victories against Komorów and MUKS, suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to league leaders Ursus III, and shared the points in a hard-fought draw with Nowa Wieś.
Elsewhere, results went our way, allowing the Knaves to climb into 2nd place — five points behind Ursus III and two points clear of Komorów in third.
With just two fixtures left before the end of the autumn round, we’re focused on finishing strongly and holding onto that promotion spot heading into the winter break. Let’s carry our momentum forward and close out the year on a high!
The final statistics for October:
Played: 4
Wins: 2
Draws: 1
Loses: 1
Points: 7
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 3
Position: 2nd
Meet Filippo
We sat down with Filippo to find out a little bit more out about him.
new signings - part 3
Meet Filippo
Wessel Struiwig Position - Centre Half D.O.B. - 24/02/1998 Last club: GT Kolonie, Belgium Born: Luyksgestel, The Netherlands
Favourite team: Valencia
The last of our summer transfers in 2025 is Wessel who becomes The Knaves’ second Dutch player. Born in a small town in the south of The Netherlands, his football journey began at just 5 years old at his local club, vv De Raven. Since then he has zig-zagged between Belgium and Ireland.
Arriving in Warsaw this January as a Project Engineer at Mars, he quickly found AFC and after joining the Saturday Kickabouts and playing in this summer’s tournament he became part of the 11 aside team. In his own words ‘it’s been a brilliant way to keep the football passion alive in a new city’.
meet the opponents - Olimpia Warszawa
A team who have been in AFC’s league for the last few seasons are Olimpia Warszawa II. Here’s a bit about their history…
Home matches: Olimpia Stadium, 56/60, Górczewska, 01-424 Warszawa
Home colours: Blue and White
Olimpia’s 2nd team have been a regular in AFC’s fixtures over the past 3 seasons, With their own stadium with natural grass pitch in the centre of Warsaw and an on-site bar, it’s always been one of the favourite away days.
The club was founded in 1952, east of the River Wisła in Warsaw's Praga district. However, in 1975, the club re-located west of the river to Wola. During the communist era, the club was supported by the Waryński factory which manufactured industrial excavators.
On the field the club found themselves in the 3rd division in 1996/1997, finishing 2nd in what is Olimpia’s greatest success. The following season was the start of the team’s demise and saw a tenth place finish and relegation to the 4th division, thus ending their adventure with national-level competitions.
In the mid-1990s, plans were made to expand the stadium to accommodate 12,000-18,000 people but due to a lack of significant success only two stands behind the goals with 1,600 seats were built and still remain. The club's symbol is an Ionic-style column.
Previous results:
Season 2023/24
AFC Warszawa 2-3 Olimpia Warszawa Lennon, De Felice
Olimpia Warszawa 2-3 AFC Warszawa Real, Bednarczyk, Beubry-Neijinsky
Season 2024/25
Olimpia Warszawa II 0-1 AFC Warszawa Sodal
AFC Warszawa 3-0 Olimpia Warszawa II (walkover)
Season - 2025/26
AFC Warszawa 8-0 Olimpia Warszawa II Pott, De Felice, Sauvard x2, Molina x2, Danilczuk, Tanner,
A team who have been in AFC’s league for the last few seasons are Olimpia Warszawa II. Here’s a bit about their history…
Home matches: Olimpia Stadium, 56/60, Górczewska, 01-424 Warszawa
Home colours: Blue and White
Olimpia’s 2nd team have been a regular in AFC’s fixtures over the past 3 seasons, With their own stadium with natural grass pitch in the centre of Warsaw and an on-site bar, it’s always been one of the favourite away days.
The club was founded in 1952, east of the River Wisła in Warsaw's Praga district. However, in 1975, the club re-located west of the river to Wola. During the communist era, the club was supported by the Waryński factory which manufactured industrial excavators.
On the field the club found themselves in the 3rd division in 1996/1997, finishing 2nd in what is Olimpia’s greatest success. The following season was the start of the team’s demise and saw a tenth place finish and relegation to the 4th division, thus ending their adventure with national-level competitions.
In the mid-1990s, plans were made to expand the stadium to accommodate 12,000-18,000 people but due to a lack of significant success only two stands behind the goals with 1,600 seats were built and still remain. The club's symbol is an Ionic-style column.
Previous results:
Season 2023/24
AFC Warszawa 2-3 Olimpia Warszawa Lennon, De Felice
Olimpia Warszawa 2-3 AFC Warszawa Real, Bednarczyk, Beubry-Neijinsky
Season 2024/25
Olimpia Warszawa II 0-1 AFC Warszawa Sodal
AFC Warszawa 3-0 Olimpia Warszawa II (walkover)
Season - 2025/26
AFC Warszawa 8-0 Olimpia Warszawa II Pott, De Felice, Sauvard x2, Molina x2, Danilczuk, Tanner,
A team who have been in AFC’s league for the last few seasons are Olimpia Warszawa II. Here’s a bit about their history…
Home matches: Olimpia Stadium, 56/60, Górczewska, 01-424 Warszawa
Home colours: Blue and White
Olimpia’s 2nd team have been a regular in AFC’s fixtures over the past 3 seasons, With their own stadium with natural grass pitch in the centre of Warsaw and an on-site bar, it’s always been one of the favourite away days.
The club was founded in 1952, east of the River Wisła in Warsaw's Praga district. However, in 1975, the club re-located west of the river to Wola. During the communist era, the club was supported by the Waryński factory which manufactured industrial excavators.
On the field the club found themselves in the 3rd division in 1996/1997, finishing 2nd in what is Olimpia’s greatest success. The following season was the start of the team’s demise and saw a tenth place finish and relegation to the 4th division, thus ending their adventure with national-level competitions.
In the mid-1990s, plans were made to expand the stadium to accommodate 12,000-18,000 people but due to a lack of significant success only two stands behind the goals with 1,600 seats were built and still remain. The club's symbol is an Ionic-style column.
Previous results:
Season 2023/24
AFC Warszawa 2-3 Olimpia Warszawa Lennon, De Felice
Olimpia Warszawa 2-3 AFC Warszawa Real, Bednarczyk, Beubry-Neijinsky
Season 2024/25
Olimpia Warszawa II 0-1 AFC Warszawa Sodal
AFC Warszawa 3-0 Olimpia Warszawa II (walkover)
Season - 2025/26
AFC Warszawa 8-0 Olimpia Warszawa II Pott, De Felice, Sauvard x2, Molina x2, Danilczuk, Tanner,
goal of the month - october
We had some cracking goals in the month of September and thank you to all of you who voted. The winner this month was Marco's screamer against SS Amigos.
Now, let’s move on to our Goal of the Month for October. Watch the video below and pick your favourite from our top 5 goals of the month. Once you’ve decided, use the form below to cast your vote — and please remember to vote only once.
Now, let’s move on to our Goal of the Month for October. Watch the video below and pick your favourite from our top 5 goals of the month. Once you’ve decided, use the form below to cast your vote — and please remember to vote only once.
Vote now Just enter you email address and vote for your favourite below!
Meet Filippo