The cup is ours, Wi5ło! #POGWIS 1:2

On Thursday, May 2nd, Wisła Kraków players wrote another beautiful chapter in the club's history! After 120 minutes of action, the White Star defeated Pogoń Szczecin 2-1, crowning them the Polish Cup champions!

A start with a bang

Wisła were the first to clear the ball from the center, and a flurry of attacks soon began. The wingers created a significant gap on both sides, repeatedly inspiring excitement among their fans. However, the most dangerous goal-scoring opportunity in the opening minutes resulted largely from chance – Alfaro's cross was mishandled by a defender, and the deflected ball flew out of play, hitting the outside of the Portowcy post.

The first fifteen minutes of play flew by at a blistering pace. As most football experts predicted, Kamil Grosicki was the standout figure for Pogoń. The Polish international frequently switched formations and actively sought out quick passes with his teammates.

The White Star repeatedly attempted to create a threat by playing long passes to the attackers. Angel Rodado made a good save after one such play in the 30th minute. Had he not lost a running duel with one of the returning defenders, the Spanish striker would have had the opportunity to find himself face-to-face with the goalkeeper. Just five minutes later, Wahlqvist found himself in similar circumstances on the other side of the pitch. However, Chichkan made the conscious decision to clear the ball for a corner.

The Kraków team created their best chance to take the lead in the 41st minute. A suspended cross near the far post found Szymon Sobczak, who headed the ball into the net, but Cojocaru cleared it practically off the line at the last moment. The score remained level. Both teams tried unsuccessfully to score the proverbial "goal for the locker room." The minute of stoppage time granted by referee Kwiatkowski proved insufficient, and the halftime whistle soon blew.

Changing sides

After the break, Szczecin struggled to impose their rhythm. In the locker room, coach Gustafsson clearly encouraged his players to be more aggressive in attack. Wisła responded with a compact defense and quick pressure buildups. Kacper Duda performed well in midfield, often fueling the White Star's attack.

The pitch situation after an hour of play was difficult to assess conclusively. Each finalist competed fiercely, but there were virtually no chances to open the scoring. Thus, the first goal of the match arrived at the most unexpected moment. After a surprising throw-in – right in front of the blue-white-reds' goal – Koulouris appeared. The Greek player's powerful shot found the net, and from the 75th minute, Wisła were forced to chase down a one-goal deficit.

In the 90th minute, the incredibly loud PGE Narodowy of the day momentarily came to a halt. The fans held their breath as the ball found the unguarded Goku in the penalty area. The midfielder, introduced after conceding a goal, had only the Pogoń goalkeeper in his path, but he somehow instinctively saved his team from equalizing.

Seven minutes later, in the final action before the final whistle, a story beyond words unfolded. A shot deep into the Portowcy penalty area found Eneko Satrustegui, who scored the much-needed goal to make it 1-1, sending the Krakow fans into a frenzy of celebration! This meant the fight for the Cup would last an extra half hour!

Continuation

Wisła Kraków started extra time with a powerful attack. Angel Rodado intercepted a pass, creating another one-on-one situation. This time, he was ruthless, slotting the ball into the corner of the net with an unstoppable shot. What a change of scenario – in the 93rd minute, Wisła Kraków took the lead for the first time, and were now one step closer to winning the trophy!

As expected, after the last half-time exchange of points, the Port team launched a mad dash for the winner. The loss meant the end of their dreams of winning the Polish Cup for the first time in history. All their forces were redirected towards the Kraków team's goal, and the players with the white star on their hearts were forced to maintain their utmost concentration in the defensive third.

Towards the end of the final, it was hard to keep up with what was unfolding before our eyes. Every single second seemed to drag on, but the dream came true, and Wisła… Wisła won the Polish Cup for the fifth time in history!

★ THE CUP IS OURS ★

Pogoń Szczecin - Wisła Kraków 1:2 (0:0, 1:1)

Goals: 1:0 Koulouris 75, 1:1 Satrustegui 90+9, 1:2 Rodado 93.

Pursuit: Cojocaru - Wahlquist (91 Smoliński), Borges, Malec, Koutris (105 Zahović) - Gamboa (57 Biczakhchjan) - Ulvestad, Gorgon (86 Zech), Przyborek (82 Wędrychowski), Grosicki - Koulouris.

Vistula: Chichkan - Jaroch (69 Satrustegui), Uryga, Colley, Szot - Duda (84 Gogół), Carbo – Baena (69 Villar), Rodado, Alfaro (77 Goku) – Sobczak (77 Żyro).

Judges: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Warsaw), Kamil Wójcik (Warsaw) and Tomasz Niemirowski (Płochocin).

Yellow cards: Gamboa, Koulouris, Wędrychowski, Cojocaru - Jaroch, Uryga, Rodado, Cziczkan.

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