A goal by Sobiech, scored late in the added time, gave Lechia Gdansk its first Cup and title since 1983. In Warsaw, currently second in Ekstraklasa was stronger in the final minutes than Jagiellonia Bialystok, a team that enjoyed most of the goal opportunities throughout the match. Lechia Gdansk reached for its first title in 36 years in the final by 0:1 in a game decided in last seconds on the match.
Polish Cup final
The team from Bialystok, currently fourth in Ekstraklasa’s championship playoff, had a good chance to score on the 25th minute. Klimala, served by Bodvarsson, shot to goal but saw Augustyn making a crucial block. This kept keeper Alomerovic (replaced Kuciak) out of trouble.
Two minutes from the brake, Augustyn proved to be crucial again. He was able to cut the ball stopping an excellent pass from Klimala that could leave Imaz isolated. This would be a good chance for Jagiellonia to score the 1:0.
Second half
Jagiellonia continued to press Lechia’s goal and could have had an advantage on the 48th minute. Nalepa blocked a shot from Imaz though. More problems came to Lechia on the 73rd minute, when Guilherme, served by Bodvarsson, shot to goal. This time, it was time for a crucial save by Alomerovic.
After a pause in the game due to the smoke fry Lechia fans’ pyro show, White and Greens finally produced something in the game. They even managed to put the ball into the net on the 86th minute after a shot by Flavio Paixao.
However, the Portuguese forward was on an offside position before he shot the ball after an incomplete save by Kelemen. The referee could only be sure of it after a VAR consultation as Paixao was almost in line with Jagiellonia’s penultimate defender, keeper Kelemen.
When everybody was waiting for overtime, substitute Sobiech solved the question on the sixth minute of added time when he was faster than Kelemen kicking the ball to goal after an excellent cross by Paixao. Sobiech gave Lechia Gdansk the first Cup since 1983 when they won against Piast Gliwice 2:1.
Dedicated to the mayor
After the game, Lechia’s trainer dedicated the victory to the late mayor of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz, murdered last January on a charity event. “He loved this club. I think he can be proud of this team, just as I am with my players”, added Piotr Stokowiec.
Lechia Gdansk, second in Ekstraklasa and still contending for the championship, plays on Sunday away against Cracovia. Only win in this game can put some pressure on leader Legia Warszawa. One day before, the leader plays at home with Piast Gliwice. Piast, currently third, still has a slim chance of being Polish champion as they are only four points from the lead with four games to go.
