The final of the Polish Cup took place at the National Stadium in Warsaw in pleasant weather before over 47,000 passionate fans. It produced a spectacle memorable mostly for what happened off the field. On the pitch, it was a one-sided encounter that ended in a comfortable victory for Legia Warsaw. Their opposition, the holders Arka Gydnia, never really threatened to retain their title. Legia would win a record 19th Polish Cup.
A Comfortable Victory for Legia Warsaw
Pyrotechnics and Choreography
Both sets of fans, arrayed at either end of the impressive stadium, had prepared the full range of fireworks and choreography for this final. Multi-coloured smoke and flares featured as the ultras went through their full repertoire. Despite pleading from the announcer, no firework was to be left unlit. At one stage the game had to be stopped because of the amount of smoke enveloping the stadium. Once that had cleared, the pattern remained in favour of Legia.
A Victory for Legia
On the field, the Warsaw-based team went ahead early when a cross from the right produced a straightforward header from Niezgoda. A second was added just before the half-hour; a defensive mistake allowed Portuguese wide man Carlos Dias an easy finish. Arka rarely threatened except from some long throws as Legia continued to be sharper throughout. A late cameo appearance from the sub Sebastien Szymanski caught the eye and he could be one to watch for the future.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
A more fragmented second-period featured copious smoke and various stoppages that played into the hands of Legia, together with some self-destruction from their opponents who had substitute Piesio dismissed for a bad foul. With the noise unrelenting Legia eased to victory. Only in the final moment did Arka get a late consolation.
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