PKO Ekstraklasa: Pogoń Szczecin Wins in Zabrze After 17-Year Break

The match in Zabrze was billed as a clash between two poles of the table: the surging Górnik, dreaming of the top spot, and Pogoń Szczecin fighting to avoid relegation. The hosts dominated the first half, hitting the woodwork twice with shots from Maksym Chłan. However, it was the visitors' defensive determination and the referee's decision supported by the VAR system in the 90th minute that decided the final outcome. Fredrik Ulvestad successfully converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Spanish defender Josema, silencing the over 20,000-strong crowd at the Arena Zabrze. The stadium on Roosevelt Street in Zabrze had been an unconquered fortress for the Portowcy for nearly two decades; Pogoń's last victory in this city occurred in 2009, which in Polish football grew to become one of the longest streaks without an away win against a specific rival.„Wiedziałem o tym, że Zabrze nie kojarzy się nam dobrze historycznie, więc tym bardziej cieszymy się z tego sukcesu, który jest nagrodą za nasz charakter.” (I knew that Zabrze doesn't have good historical associations for us, so we are even more pleased with this success, which is a reward for our character.) — Thomas Thomasberg In Częstochowa, fans finally saw Raków break through, as under the leadership of Łukasz Tomczyk, they won their first match of the spring round. The only goal was scored by Ivi Lopez, returning to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, in the elite's second tier, the Betclic 1. Liga, a rare technical failure occurred during the match between Znicz Pruszków and Pogoń Grodzisk Mazowiecki. In the second half, all floodlights at the stadium went out, forcing the referee to halt play in complete darkness. In the Lower Silesian derby, Chrobry Głogów defeated Miedź Legnica 1:0 and moved up to the runner-up position in the table. 6002 — days Pogoń Szczecin waited for an away victory over Górnik Zabrze Interesting results were also noted in lower leagues and friendlies. Zawisza Bydgoszcz comfortably defeated Pogoń Mogilno 5:1 in their final test before the start of the 3. Liga. The situation in the Orlen Ekstraliga remains tense; the table leaders are the players of Czarni Sosnowiec, who despite a recent loss to AP Gdańsk maintain a five-point lead over the chasing Górnik Łęczna.