Pogoń Szczecin defeated Górnik Zabrze 1-0 away in the 22nd round of the PKO Ekstraklasa. The only goal was scored by Fredrik Ulvestad from a penalty kick in the 91st minute of the match. For the Portowcy, this is their first victory at Roosevelt Street since 2009, ending a streak of over 6000 days without a win in this city. The defeat cost Górnik the chance to taking the leader's seat the table.

Breaking a long-standing curse

The 1-0 victory is Pogoń Szczecin's first win in Zabrze after a break of over 6000 days, dating back to September 2009.

VAR decides in the final moments

The only goal came from a penalty kick awarded in the 91st minute after video review of a handball by Josema.

Górnik loses chance to become leader

The defeat of the second-placed team meant that the Zabrze side could not overtake Jagiellonia Białystok in the Ekstraklasa table.

Offensive impotence and misfortune

Maksym Chłań twice hit the frame of the goal, and Pogoń registered their first shot on target only late in the match.

Saturday's clash at the Zabrze Arena was supposed to be a step towards the Polish championship for the hosts. Górnik Zabrze, occupying second place in the table, hosted Pogoń Szczecin, who are fighting to avoid relegation. From the first minutes, the Zabrze side dominated, but they lacked effectiveness. Their misfortune didn't help the situation – shots by Maksym Chłań hit the posts and crossbar of the goal guarded by the visitors. For a significant part of the match, Pogoń focused solely on deep defense, not registering a single shot on target until the 70th minute of play. The drama of the match reached its peak in the stoppage time of the second half. After an intervention by the VAR system, the referee spotted a handball by the home defender, Josema. Fredrik Ulvestad confidently converted the penalty kick, securing a sensational three points for the Szczecin side. The rivalry between Górnik and Pogoń dates back to the 1950s, but the stadium in Zabrze had been an unconquered fortress for the Szczecin side since 2009. For over 16 years, the Portowcy were unable to take a full set of points from there, which the media dubbed the "Zabrze curse."Górnik's coach, Michal Gasparik, did not hide his disappointment after the match, pointing to a lack of quality in key moments and a lack of luck in front of the opponent's goal. Meanwhile, the visitors' coach, Thomas Thomasberg, praised the character of his team, which, after a series of poor away matches, managed to break the deadlock at the most unexpected moment. Concurrently, in the lower leagues, high defeats for Śląsk Wrocław's reserves were recorded, and a lighting failure occurred in Pruszków during the match between Znicz and Pogoń Grodzisk Mazowiecki. „I knew the history of Pogoń's matches in Zabrze, so this victory pleases us all the more.” — Thomas Thomasberg6002 — days was Pogoń's winless streak in ZabrzeMatch Statistics: Górnik vs. Pogoń: Total shots by Górnik: 14, Total shots by Pogoń: 4, Shots on target by Górnik: 3, Shots on target by Pogoń: 1Top of the Ekstraklasa Table (provisional): 1. Jagiellonia Białystok (Leader); 2. Górnik Zabrze (No promotion); 3. Raków Częstochowa (In play)

Mentioned People

  • Fredrik Ulvestad — Norwegian midfielder for Pogoń Szczecin, scorer of the winning goal from a penalty kick.
  • Michal Gasparik — Coach of Górnik Zabrze, who after the match criticized his team's lack of effectiveness.
  • Thomas Thomasberg — Coach of Pogoń Szczecin, who was pleased with breaking the historic winless streak in Zabrze.
  • Maksym Chłań — Górnik Zabrze player, who in the match took unlucky shots that hit the post and crossbar.