Polish Weekend #1

So here it is, first proper weekend of football in Poland. Ekstraklasa has first round, 1st League has second and there is even one special game I'll tell You about. I hope I will be able to present You this column on weekly basis, starting from today.

EKSTRAKLASA We are starting with low key game between GKS Bełchatów and Polonia Bytom. The first one changed their team, lost three important players and coach and tried to rebuild in last months. Polonia however is in poor financial state and will gave serious problem to stay in the league. Late game is more interesting. Newly promoted, Górnik Zabrze are hosting summer big spenders, Polonia Warszawa. There is a chance of seeing Ebi Smolarek getting his debut in Ekstraklasa.

On Saturday, we have two games. Current champions and our only team left in Europa League, Lech Poznań is visiting promoted Widzew Łódź. Should be interesting as hosts will try to make a decent start to the league, and visitors will do everything to start scoring goals which was their problem in first games of the season. Second game is between Korona Kielce and Zagłębie Lubin. Two teams that are attacking minded tactics but do they have enough quality to cover their chances?

Sunday starts with match between Lechia Gdańsk and Ruch Chorzów. Both teams without main strikers - hosts permanently, guests after selling Sobiech. First goalless draw of the season? Śląsk Wrocław will host Jagiellonia Białystok after their departure from Europa League and draw with Aris in Greece. Hosts made several interesting transfers and are tipped to finish in the top half, the same as their opposition. Last game of the weekend in Ekstraklasa will be played in Kraków where Wisła will play against Arka Gdynia. Much to prove for the hosts and, as showed games against Qarabagh, nothing to fear for guests.

SPECIAL Legia Warszawa opens their stadium with a friendly game against Arsenal on Saturday. Should be cracking game, worth to watch.

1ST LEAGUE Second round of the games starts today with a game where Piast Gliwice will host GKS Katowice in small Silesia derby. After disappointing draw in first round, guests will look for first win in the season, against Piast who impressed in 3-0 thumping of Odra.

Tomorrow there is five games. In the most interesting one, Górnik Polkowice vists Podbeskidzie Bielsko Biała. Other matches should be less entertaining, Warta plays with Odra in Poznań, MKS Kluczbork hosts Kolejarz Stróże, GKP Gorzów Wielkopolski has a game with Ruch Radzionków, and Bruk Bet Nieciecza visits Górnik Łęczna.

Three games on Sunday, all of them involving teams fighting for promotion. Sandecja Nowy Sącz will play at home with Flota Świnoujscie and should win easily. Pogoń Szczecin is in similar position of favorites when they play KSZO Ostrowiec, and they need three points after disappointing loss to ŁKS Łódź. They on the other hand, play with Dolcan Ząbki away, and with hosts impressing in the first game, this match looks much tougher than week ago.

Enjoy the weekend, you can watch most of the games on the Internet, and you can find streams HERE.