Ekstraklasa Action Round-up

In midweek we heard about Polish referees going to Scotland for a weekend but Polish FA finally refused to send them as they were needed in the league. Of course none of three teams scheduled for a flight abroad wasn’t used and now half of Europe laugh at domestic federation because all of the havoc caused during the strike in Scotland. But let’s get back to football…

‘I feel like a whore after getting gang-banged’ – said Tomasz Wróbel after seeing his team, GKS Belchatow losing the 2-0 lead in Krakow in last five minutes. Not only the lead, as Cracovia scored three times between 87^th and 92^nd minute to win only for the second time this season. They are still looking too weak for Ekstraklasa, having problems in the squad, suspending three players in recent days but that may be just hope they all have been praying for. On the other hand, how does Wróbel know this feeling? Don’t even want to think about this.

Friday ended with vital win for Legia but it was in danger after home side, Polonia Bytom, had penalty early in the game. Unfortunately for them, Skaba saved it and late headed goal from Radović ensured three points went with Legia to Warsaw. It was interesting meeting as Polonia’s manager, Jan Urban, was sacked by Legia eight months ago… after losing in Bytom. His current side is looking surprisingly good though and refuses to be named as one of the weakest in Ekstraklasa.

Saturday started with great entertaining in Gdynia but not in terms of football. On National Rugby Stadium and its artificial pitch, we saw Arka hosting Slask Wroclaw. Both managers later described it as a fight that wasn’t lost by either team and probably the 2-2 draw was deserved. All goals were scored in first half, Slask again failed to get one out of open play – firstly Kaźmierczak converted penalty and then headed in another Mila fine free kick. Labukas was the scorer for hosts as they went ahead but failed to keep it until half time. Second half was even poorer, no clear chances near both goals.

Zagłębie Lubin won with Lechia Gdansk and it must be noticed how weak visitors were in recent weeks. They impressed with some fluent, technical style of football but with time more teams found it easier to make them clueless on the pitch. We will see if young Lechia manager, Tomasz Kafarski, will learn from this and come with solution in the second round of the season. Zagłębie should be now disappointed that only their fans still care more about conflict with club and the board than about results and supporting players.

Korona Kielce drew with Lech Poznan and visitors finally have not lost away from home but it was truly uninspiring game of football played on snow. No clear chanced, both teams failing to create and make the other eleven play their way. Also Sunday’s game between Ruch Chorzow and Jagiellonia Bialystok looked similar but at least we could see some action in it. Visitors will be happy that they are still at the top with three points lead and last game of the year at home. Both games obviously ended in goalless draws. 

On Saturday Widzew won in Lodz against Gornik Zabrze with four goals but the score flattered hosts as visitors were something more than just the battered opposition. They should answer them with at least one goal but Robak (scored twice) and Sernas (netted once) make them pay for easy mistakes at the other game. You all should see goal from Velibor Durić, fantastic drive from thirty yards in the last minute of the game.

In last game presented, Wisla Krakow won at Polonia Warszawa after Pietrasiak turned out to be unlucky own goal scorer for the visitors. Once again the home side showed that they lack idea and style while Wisla finally defended very well, keeping clean sheet for fourth time in a row also thanks to good performance from Mariusz Pawełek, their goalkeeper. 

So, even though we have still one round of games to play next weekend, we have fifteen games behind us. Jagiellonia is deservedly leading in the league, while Wisla Krakow and Legia Warszawa are just three points behind them. The surprise is that Legia achieved that losing six times in fifteen games! Korona Kielce sits on fourth place but they must strengthen their midfield to match top three teams and count to the last day of the league. On the other end of the table, Cracovia is ten points from the second points and their chances to survive in Ekstraklasa are as thick as you could only imagine. But league table is very flat and there are only six points between teams from 15^th to 5th place. All to get and all to lose for Lech Poznan as Polish champions are eleventh place.

You can analyze the table and scores HERE and watch goals HERE. Enjoy!