Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa advance to the Europa Conference League round of 16

Polish club football recorded a successful evening on European pitches, though not without disappointment. Lech Poznań, playing in front of their own fans at Bułgarska Street, sealed their advancement to the Europa Conference League round of 16. The match against Finnish side KuPS Kuopio ended with a modest 1:0 victory. The only goal came after a prolonged and at times tedious siege of the Finnish defense, allowing Niels Frederiksen's charges to calmly control the course of the contest. However, sports experts and commentators have drawn attention to the style of play of the Polish champions, described as workmanlike and lacking flair. Despite the absence of on-pitch fireworks, the primary objective was achieved, resulting in a cash injection of several hundred thousand euros from UEFA and the maintenance of a high domestic ranking. Simultaneously, Raków Częstochowa is celebrating success, as they also found themselves among the sixteen best teams in the competition. Quite different moods prevail in Białystok. Jagiellonia, despite ambitious declarations and a will to fight, failed to overturn the deficit from the first match and was eliminated from the tournament. This defeat is particularly painful in comparison to the successes of the other Polish representatives, as last season's Polish champions were counting on a much longer march through European stadiums. Jagiellonia's elimination means Poland loses one of its representatives in the crucial phase of the season, which will not be without impact on the finances of the Podlasie club and its prestige on the international stage. The Europa Conference League, established by UEFA in 2021 as the third tier of club competitions on the Old Continent, has become a key opportunity for clubs from leagues with medium economic potential to regularly appear in the knockout phase and build their budget through performance bonuses. Lech's victory in the second leg was the result of a consistent, though cautious, tactic. Coach Frederiksen warned before the match that the job was not yet done, which was reflected in the team's careful setup. Fans, despite communication difficulties around the stadium caused by the closure of nearby streets, turned out in large numbers in the stands to support their team. Now, the eyes of all football Poland are on Nyon, where the draw for the round of 16 pairs will take place. Among the potential opponents for the Poznań and Częstochowa teams are sides that won their groups in the main phase, guaranteeing top-level excitement in the coming weeks. „Robota nie została jeszcze zakończona, musimy zachować koncentrację na pełne dziewięćdziesiąt minut.” (The job is not yet finished, we need to maintain concentration for the full ninety minutes.) — Niels Frederiksen Lech's earnings for advancing to this stage alone are gigantic by Polish standards, allowing the club to make further reinforcements and achieve financial stability. At the same time, the media highlight the return to the squad of some injured players, though the roster is still not complete. The coming days in the capital of Greater Poland and Częstochowa will be marked by analyses of potential opponents, among whom established European brands are mentioned. For Polish football, the presence of two clubs in March on the European stage is a signal of the growing strength of the Ekstraklasa in UEFA rankings.