In the 22nd round of the PKO Ekstraklasa, Pogoń Szczecin sensationally defeated Górnik Zabrze 1-0 away. The match was decided by a penalty awarded in stoppage time, which Fredrik Ulvestad successfully converted. For the Szczecin team, this is a historic breaking of the "curse" of the stadium on Roosevelt Street, where they had failed to win since 2009. The hosts' defeat cost them the chance to take over the top spot in the table.

Breaking a multi-year streak

The Portowcy won in Zabrze for the first time in nearly 17 years, ending a streak that had lasted since May 2009.

Decisive penalty in the final moments

Fredrik Ulvestad scored the only goal in the 90th minute after a controversial VAR analysis and a handball by Josema.

Górnik loses the top spot

Despite their significant advantage and shots hitting the frame of the goal, the Zabrze side failed to earn points and move into first place.

Crucial points in the fight for survival

The victory allows Pogoń to distance themselves from the relegation zone and build an advantage over rivals at the bottom of the table.

Saturday's clash in Zabrze was supposed to be a formality for the hosts, allowing them to return to the top of the league table. Górnik Zabrze, acting as the runner-up, imposed a high tempo from the start of the match, documenting their advantage with shots hitting the frame of the goal. Maksym Chłań came closest to scoring, with his shot hitting the post and another attempt shaking the crossbar. Pogoń Szczecin, occupying the lower regions of the table with a small advantage over the relegation zone, did not register a single shot on target in the first hour of play, focusing almost exclusively on defense. The breakthrough came in stoppage time of the second half. After the intervention of the VAR system, the referee spotted a handball by defender Josema in the penalty area. Fredrik Ulvestad stepped up to the ball placed on the penalty spot and confidently beat the home goalkeeper. This victory ends an inglorious streak of 6127 days without a win for the Portowcy in Zabrze. Coach Thomas Thomasberg emphasized after the match that the determination and character of his players compensated for the offensive shortcomings visible for most of the game. The rivalry between Górnik and Pogoń has a long tradition, but the stadium in Zabrze had become an impregnable fortress for the Szczecin side since May 2009. Since then, the Portowcy have played over a dozen matches there, most of which ended in their defeats, earning the nickname "Zabrze curse" in sports media. Górnik's defeat is even more painful as Michal Gasparik's team had a chance to overtake Jagiellonia Białystok and become the league leader. Instead, the Zabrze side recorded their second consecutive loss of points against a lower-ranked opponent. Meanwhile, Pogoń, thanks to the three points earned in dramatic circumstances, significantly improved their situation in the fight for league survival, moving away from the relegation zone. „I knew the history of Pogoń's matches in Zabrze, so this victory pleases us all the more.” — Thomas Thomasberg 6002 — days Pogoń waited for a victory in Zabrze Shots on target in the match: Górnik Zabrze: 5, Pogoń Szczecin: 1

Mentioned People

  • Fredrik Ulvestad — Norwegian midfielder for Pogoń Szczecin, scorer of the winning goal from a penalty.
  • Thomas Thomasberg — Coach of Pogoń Szczecin, who led the team to a historic breakthrough in Zabrze.
  • Michal Gasparik — Coach of Górnik Zabrze, pointing to a lack of luck and quality in his team's play.
  • Maksym Chłań — Górnik Zabrze player who twice hit the frame of the opponents' goal.