Janusz Kupcewicz

Janusz Bogdan Kupcewicz (9 December 1955 – 4 July 2022) was a Polish professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Widely regarded as one of the best Polish players of his era, he most notably won the bronze with the national team at 1982 World Cup, in which he was a key player with his final goal being instrumental in the success.

He was voted in Arka Gdynia's best all-time XI after winning their first ever Polish Cup in 1979.

He played for a number of other clubs, including abroad, and after retirement from playing he was a manager, PE teacher, and local politician.

Career Club career Despite being from Gdańsk, he started his career at the two Olsztyn clubs: Warmia and Stomil, He made his national debut in 1976. the Polish U-21 team as assistant manager 1999–2001, He was also a consultant at Arka Gdynia between 2001 and 2003.

Teaching career He taught PE at primary school number 10 in the Chylonia district of Gdynia. Then, having switched to the Polish People's Party, he ran as a candidate for the Pomeranian Voivodeship Assembly in 2010 and to the lower house of parliament in 2011. He was reported to have fallen ill while travelling by train and fainted on the train platform in Gdynia; an ambulance then transported him to a hospital in Gdańsk where he subsequently died. His diabetes and related cardiovascular complications were cited as likely contributors to his death.

His involvement in the infamous Polish football corruption scandal was never fully explained; he never denied the allegations that he handled and transported bribes, but claimed in court he was far too drunk to remember the exact details.

He is widely regarded as Arka Gdynia's best-ever players, featuring in their all-time XI, Arka being a club he personally supported.

Honours Arka Gdynia Polish Cup: 1978–79

Lech Poznań Ekstraklasa: 1982–83

Poland FIFA World Cup third place: 1982

Individual Second Division top scorer: 1975–76 All time best Arka Gdynia XI