Ekstraklasa Action Round-up

It seems that we had some great weekend in terms of attendance but first reports of some sites and newspapers are simply missed – just because 23.792 is not 30.000 for example. Much more had happened on the pitch and I think that all of You would like to get to know everything about it. Here it is.

Results were dramatic and it started right from the first game. In derby of Łódzkie region, GKS Bełchatów hosted Widzew Łódź. Both sides organized very well, letting opponents for not too much and chances were limited in this even match… until 95^th minute came. One proper cross, few mistakes in visitors box regarding positioning and marking allowed Marcin Drzymont to make decisive contact with the ball and put the thing into the net. As for central defender he behaved like a striker with great experience there. Obviously that one won the game for GKS but also it is worth mentioning that that was first game played on Friday, 5:45 p.m. that fulfilled stadium. Yeah, small one but still for sick hour like this…

Later that day, Jagiellonia played with Polonia Warszawa in Białystok. Visitors were great tactically and home side manager, Michał Probierz, could have few complains about his selection as the tactics were his problem. Even though his side possession was greater than the visitors one, their chances was limited and Kamil Grosicki was separated wisely from the game. Of course, when he change it at half time and put Tomasz Frankowski on the pitch, things changed. Late (in 86^th minute) but still that is very important win for hosts (‘Franek’ scored the winner) which takes them 6 points clear off third team in the league table.

Korona Kielce is just behind them with two points being the distance and they are enjoying really good run, especially that they faced Lechia Gdańsk away. Tough game for anyone but they won it courtesy of Maciej Korzym game, who would have thought, coming very late (this tame it was 80^th minute) after good move from visitors. Korona’s manager, Marcin Sasal is getting better reception and rightly so and my prove his point in fight on words with Franciszek Smuda, thru newspapers of course, about importance of latest tour of national team in United States. I stand on the one side with Sasal here as it was just pointless to go there during the season.

Ruch Chorzów drew with Arka Gdynia and no goals or even something interesting to report from this one. Much more happened… off the pitch at Cracovia versus Polonia Bytom game. First of all, after awful loss to Lech Poznań in Polish Cup on Wednesday, home side changed manager. They sacked Ulatowski and waited till Friday to announce that it will be Jurij Szatałow who takes over. Jurij Szatałow, the man who was manager of Polonia Bytom. That put some taste in the game and made it much sweeter for visitors when Jarecki scored the winner late in the game (73^rd minute), of course.  Jan Urban will succeed Szatałow in Bytom, being back in the league after being sacked by Legia seven months ago. Welcome back.

Interesting result in Wrocław where Śląsk faced Zagłębie Lubin in Lower Silesia derby game. Finally, after eight game without a win, the home side got three points and more importantly, outplayed visitors completely. There was no moment of this game where You could feel that Zagłębie can salvage anything, with especially good performances coming from Kaźmierczak and Sobota. Hopefully Śląsk can build on it and become side we all know they can be – much stronger than what they presented up to date. Highlight of the game for me is great pass from Kaźmierczak to Sotirović for Śląsk’s second goal of the game.

More dramatic things came on Sunday, with much happening both, at Lech-Wisła game and Legia-Górnik. First of all, let’s start with league hit match, Lech-Wisła and result (4-1) maybe, just maybe allowing Jacek Zieliński to stay as Lech’s manager a bit longer than next few hours. We have heard that Jose Maria Bakero is interested in his job (as in every job in Poland for last month or so), also for some reason name of Dan Petrescu is involved again but I suppose that one week more for Zieliński will be given by Lech’s board. On the field, Lech presented much better in defence (making less mistakes than Wisła) and in attack, where they were clinical (only 8 shots on goal, 4 of them finishing in the net). Although visitors took the lead, thanks to Paweł Brożek fine strike, home side responded even better. Unfortunately, when the game was close to an end, two sad accidents happened. First of all, Cleber (Wisła’s centre back) got injured seriously and ambulance had to take him to hospital straight from the pitch as he had problems with his neck. Then Wisła ‘fans’ tried to get to Lech fans through the barrier and glass-fence and there was even a fight for a while but police solved the thing. We all hoped that this things will come to an end with new stadiums being opened but it seems that this may be just not enough. That problem needs to be solved before EURO 2012…

Last game of this exciting round also was a dramatic one. Legia hosted in Warsaw Górnik Zabrze. Chances limited in the first half but it all started in the second – Daniel Sikorski scored for visitors after good cross from Wodecki. Young striker wanted that goal very badly as Legia turned him down in the summer when he wanted to get a chance there (his father is Legia’s legend). But in last two minutes of the game the home side responded, the same way. Two great deliveries from Tomasz Kiełbowicz from free kicks and first was converted by Radović, and second by Mezenga. Late winners just might have saved Maciej Skorża’s job there, as another loss at own stadium could be enough for the board.

Uff… what a round of Polish football that was. Really, really dramatic, some great goals (watch Injac second for Lech Poznań!) and results. Finally we may be getting a season where everything is at least interesting and more people  get stuck in it. To follow the league’s table click HERE, and to watch the goals from this round, click HERE.