Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Poland August 2010


Gornik Zabrze 0 Polonia Warsaw 2

Bad return.


Gornik returned to the top division in Poland but started with this defeat.

It was a comfortable enough win for Polonia who were better in possession.
They scored one goal in each half, firstly from a left wing cross finished by striker Sobiech then from Mierzejewski after a move down the left.

When Gornik did get close the Polonia goalie, Przyrowski, was in good form (apart from his kicking)

The stadium, of the older style, comprised a covered main stand with the rest being open seating, curved ends, and a track.
It was well filled with very noisy home fans.

And despite a heavy thunderstorm during the second half the ultras still kept their shirts off.

I too got soaked on the walk back to my hotel.


Widzew Lodz 1 Lech Poznan 1

Champions held by Red Army.


Widzew were another side returning to the Polish Premier and they started with a commendable draw against last seasons champions.
No doubt they were helped by an excellent atmosphere produced by the home fans who maintained some serious noise throughout the game.

Again it was shirts off in the second half during which there was more (light) rain to cool us off.

The Lech fans produced their own chants from their well policed section near to my right.
Nearby the hardcore home ultras kept watch.

In the match itself it looked for a long time that one goal would be sufficient for Lech who built up more pressure.
It came from sub Rudnevs' header in the 77th minute.

But Widzew did get an equaliser seven miinutes later after the Lech goalie failed to stop a Sernas effort.

Poznan defender Bosacki was taken off on a stretcher after a bad clash of heads with Nigerian Ukah, the ambulance coming quickly onto the pitch.
He was to be kept in hospital overnight then released the next day.

Though not a great match the atmosphere provided good compensation.

I took a tram back to central Lodz and then a train to Warsaw.


Lechia Gdansk 0 Ruch Chorzow 0

Quiet.


An early start to get the 6.40am (slow) train to Gdansk where the weather stayed warm and dry.

The Lechia stadium, a ten minute tram ride from the centre, is another older style ground with typical open seating and cover on the main stand.
Green and white predominates.

Ruch brought about 150 fans from the far south.

This time the crowd atmosphere didn't compensate for a moderate encounter.
Because of their dissatisfaction with the management's player strategy the home ultras were generally quiet, apart from their song at the start.

Ruch defended well, frustrating Lechia who usually only looked dangerous when the Brazilian Santos Deleu had space on the right flank.
Dawidowski worked hard up front for the home side but with limited success.

So a goalless draw to finish this three game trip to Poland.


more pics at http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/450263369


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