The leading football club in Poland, Legia Warsaw, has spent a week in mid-season training at La Cala Resort, Mijas, Málaga.

Legia Warsaw is one of the most successful Polish clubs in history winning a total of nine league championships and a record 13 Polish Cups. It made it to the semi-final of the European Cup/Champions League in 1970 and was twice in the semi-finals, the latter being in 1996.

The current squad contains players from seven countries, including Spain’s Iñaki Astiz Ventura, a defender who hails from Pamplona and the former Manchester United striker and Chinese international Dong Fangzhuo, who is on trial. Dong was the first Chinese player to be signed by United when he agreed terms in 2004.

The club first used the La Cala complex for a training camp last year and Assistant Coach, José Antonio Vicuña (Kibu) from Navarre, says they returned because of the professional facilities. “The facilities are excellent for a top class professional team and allow us to train in optimum conditions. Additionally, the service we receive from all the staff is excellent. In Poland in January and February, the temperatures reach -25C to -30C and the pitches are covered in snow and it is very difficult to train properly. We are delighted to be able to train in La Cala and we plan to return next year.”

This winter La Cala Resort is also hosting training camps for top teams from Switzerland, Germany, The Czech Republic, The Ukraine and Russia. Apart from the mild winter climate, teams are attracted by the extensive range of facilities and the secluded location that is also near Málaga airport and other major transport links.