Korona came to Wronki for the 1/16 final of the Polish Cup. Interestingly, not the first team, but the second team of Lech waited for the guests. It was Kolejorz’s reserves that were the club’s last hope for success in this competition. Unfortunately, these hopes were dashed very quickly. Golden-Blooded defeated Lech II, but the ambition of the local youth made an impression.
Lech II Poznań – Korona Kielce. Kolejorz focused on club youth
Some people hoped that coach Niels Frederiksen would designate several first-team players. Of course, we are talking more about reserve players, such as Stjepan Loncar or Ian Hoffmann, who lack minutes in the first team this season. Nothing could be further from the truth, the colors of the second Kolejorz team were played almost exclusively by young people. The average age was less than 19 years, and it was significantly overestimated by 33-year-old Maciej Wichtowski. Has youth turned out to be a way to defeat the Crown?
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Lech II Poznań – Korona Kielce. The guests dominated the first half
Unfortunately, the Poznań youth quickly clashed with the quality of the top league team. Already in the 7th minute, Shikavka took advantage of Lechites’ very poor coverage of the corner kick and headed the ball into the net with a confident header. Złocisto-Krwiści ended the first quarter with a two-goal lead. In the 15th minute, Shikavka increased the score again. The Kielce team struck another blow in the 31st minute. Trejo found himself in a one-on-one situation and scored a goal to make it 3-0 for Korona. Kolejorz’s young players were able to return to the game at the end of the first half, when the referee whistled a penalty kick for the hosts of the match played in Wronki. Unfortunately, Wichtowski, the most experienced player in the team, wasted his eleven. By halftime it was 3-0 for Korona Kielce.
Lech II Poznań – Korona Kielce. The brave youth from Poznań did not give up in the second half
The Poznań youth did not intend to raise the white flag and approached the competition ambitiously in the second half. Which culminated in a goal scored in the 82nd minute of the game. Juszczyk, located on the right side of the field, withdrew the ball to Warciarek, who converted the pass into an honorary goal. This is how Lechites’ adventure with the Polish Cup ended. Ultimately, Lech II Poznań lost in Wronki to Korona Kielce 1:3.
Lech II Poznań – Korona Kielce. See photos of fans from this match!
Puszcza Niepołomice – Lech Poznań. Kolejorz goes to the start with the last team…
Ah, the Polish Cup! A competition that once promised glory but, at least for Lech II Poznań, ended up feeling more like a slapstick comedy sketch than a football match. They say the reserve team is like the backup band—you never know if they’ll just be playing the hits or hitting the wrong notes. Spoiler alert: this time, it was definitely the latter. But let’s dig into this delightful debacle with the enthusiasm of Jimmy Carr on a caffeine binge!
The Set-Up: Expectations vs. Reality
So, here we have Korona Kielce invading Wronki to take on the second-string team of Lech Poznań—Kolejorz’s last hope wrapped up in a bunch of teenagers and a guy who’s old enough to be their father (shoutout to 33-year-old Maciej Wichtowski!). You’d think that some seasoned first-team players might step up to play the role of guardian angels, but no. Coach Niels Frederiksen decided, “Let’s thrown in a bunch of kids with an average age that makes a smartwatch look ancient.” Clearly, life lessons in football are taking a long time to learn in Poznań!
First Half: A Comedy of Errors
What unfolded next was hilarious. The poor Lech II kids stepped onto the pitch and immediately—like a group of unsuspecting tourists in an amusement park—found themselves on a ride they never signed up for! In the 7th minute, Shikavka showed them how it’s done, capitalizing on atrocious defending that resembled a kindergarten scuffle more than a professional setup. And just like that, we were 1-0 down, then 2-0, and before you could say “give them a tutorial!” it was 3-0 and half-time was creeping up like a cat on a laser pointer.
Now, Wichtowski, bless his soul, had a penalty! “Finally,” you might think, “a chance at redemption!” Well, folks, he’s good at many things, but scoring penalties is not one of them. It was like watching a magician pull a long scarf from a hat—except the hat was on fire and the scarf was a big ol’ whiff! By halftime, it was clear: Korona was dining on Lech II for lunch, and these youngsters hadn’t brought any desserts.
Second Half: No Surrender!
But you must admire the grit of these young Poznań warriors! While the score read 3-0, they didn’t fold like a cheap suit. Through sheer determination, they fought off the impending doom and even managed to find the back of the net in the 82nd minute! A plucky goal that was celebrated like they’d just won the Cup itself! Warciarek converted a nice pass into a goal worth great bravado but, alas, their journey in the competition came to a screeching halt with an ultimately anticlimactic 3-1.
In Conclusion: A Learning Experience
So, there you have it! Lech II came, they saw, they tried very hard, but ultimately, they were outclassed. Who knows? Perhaps this little adventure serves as more than just a loss. Maybe it’s a step toward discovery, like realizing you can’t dance at a wedding without looking like Jim Carrey in “The Mask”. Whatever the case, let’s hope the lads learn a thing or two from this experience—for they can’t be throwing up those goals at Wronki every week! Like they say in England, “There’s always next year,” or in this case, “When your first team decides to actually show up!”
**Interview with Coach Niels Frederiksen After Lech II Poznań vs. Korona Kielce Match**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Niels Frederiksen. After a tough match against Korona Kielce, what are your thoughts on how the game unfolded?
**Niels Frederiksen:** Thank you for having me. It was a challenging match for our young team. We faced a seasoned side in Korona Kielce, and the experience gap was evident early on. We conceded a few early goals due to defensive mistakes, and that set the tone for the rest of the match.
**Interviewer:** You decided to field a mostly young team. Was that a strategic choice based on current squad dynamics?
**Niels Frederiksen:** Absolutely. My focus for this match was on developing our younger players and giving them valuable experience in a competitive environment. While some fans hoped to see more first-team players on the pitch, I believe it is essential for our youth to gain confidence and learn from such high-pressure situations.
**Interviewer:** The first half was particularly difficult. With a missed penalty by Maciej Wichtowski, did that affect the team’s morale?
**Niels Frederiksen:** Yes, it certainly did. Maciej is one of our most experienced players, and we relied on him to convert that penalty to boost our chances. Unfortunately, when it didn’t go in, the players’ heads dropped, and it was difficult to regain our focus.
**Interviewer:** Despite the loss, you mentioned the ambition of your players. Can you elaborate on that and their performance in the second half?
**Niels Frederiksen:** I was proud of how they responded after halftime. They showed resilience and determination, which is a positive sign for the future. Scoring that late goal was crucial for their confidence and proves they’re capable of competing at this level, even if we couldn’t secure a win.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what lessons do you think your players took from this match?
**Niels Frederiksen:** This match was a strong reminder that every mistake can be costly against experienced teams. I hope they learned the importance of maintaining focus and discipline throughout the game. Every experience, whether good or bad, contributes to their growth.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Coach. It’s clear that although the result wasn’t what you hoped for, there are positives to build on for Lech II Poznań.
**Niels Frederiksen:** Thank you. We’ll regroup and continue to work hard as we prepare for our next matches. The journey of developing young talent is long but rewarding.