Lech Finally got themselves a #1 Keeper

The powers of the Ekstraklasa have been loading up on talent this summer, trying to stack a roster for what should be a very competitive 2009/10 season. Such moves like Arek Radomski from NEC in the Dutch league to Lech Poznan, Carlo Costly returning from his load deal to GKS Belchatow from Birmingham City, Marcin Mieciel going back to Legia Warsaw from German VfL Bochum and Wisla Krakow bringing in Lukasz Gargula and Andraz Kirm. However, the biggest signing of them all may have been this past week when Lech Poznan signed goalkeeper Grzegorz Kasprzik from Piast Gliwice.

Fight to the finish

Lot’s has happened since my last blog entry on the Soca Soul! And for that, I do apologize. I’ve just been very busy with other commitments and have not had the time to watch too many games, so reporting on them wouldn’t be fair for the readers and I just failed to find time to make posts. Hopefully that’s all over now and beyond me, and I can continue to do what is really fun for me, and that’s talking Polish football!

From Ernest Pol stadium…. 2-0 Gornik Zabrze

Hey, me again, again writing from Gliwice. Just returned from the derby between Gornik Zabrze and Polonia Bytom. Not sure if it’s the bias in me since i just spend about 3-hours at Ernest Pol stadium, or if it’s just the beer talking, but seeing Adam Banas live was incredible. I have no idea why Leo Beenhakker hasn’t called him up yet to the national team. Banas seriously reminds me of Jaap Stam. Tough central defender. Always in great position, never giving up on any play, doesn’t lose any battle, he is loud and is really a true leader, in fact he was the captain today since Sebestian Nowak was out injured. And he scores clutch goals. The guy is one of the best footballers that I remember seeing play in Poland. Sure, over the computer as I watch weekly he looks solid too, but seeing him live was something else. Hope Beenhakker keeps his tabs on him, he is a true talent.

Ekstraklasa Round 18 Review

Round 18 is officially over, and the Polish Ekstraklasa is under way. The weekend featured two big derbies in Polish football, a 0-0 match between Polonia Warsaw and Legia Warsaw, and a 1-0 victory for Gornik Zabrze over Ruch Chorzow. A confident Lech Poznan team, over came a heart breaking end to their UEFA Cup run last Thursday after a 2-1 loss to Udinese, with a 3-2 victory over GKS Belchatow on Sunday. Poznan now sit in first place, 2-points clear of their closest competitor, Legia Warsaw. Here’s some of the best, and worst, from around the Ekstraklasa from the weekend.

And the Ekstraklasa is well on its way

Today is the first day back for the Polish Ekstraklasa after the long 3-month winter break. Only two games on the schedule today, the derby of Warsaw – Polonia vs. Legia and Wisla Krakow visiting Polonia Bytom.

The Great Derby of Silesia

One of Poland’s biggest and longest rivalries is renewed this Saturday afternoon, when Gornik Zabrze and Ruch Chorzow meet for the 92nd time in league play at Slaski Stadium in Chorzow. Gornik leads the all-time series with 36 wins, 24 defeats and 31 draws. The two Polish giants have also met 13 times in Puchar Polish (Polish Cup), five wins for Gornik, five for Ruch and three draws. While two of the five Gornik wins came in the final. Four of the five for Ruch were in the Final. The Ruch Chorzow vs. Gornik Zabrze derby is one of the most important matches of the season, not only in Silesia, but in all of Poland. Both clubs have an amazing history of legendary players, great fan support and results on the pitch. Both clubs share the record total of 14 League Championships. Zabrze has also won six League Cups while Chorzow has won three.