The Mielec team’s road to their greatest success in the 1975/76 Polish Cup, which was to reach the final (a 0-2 defeat to Śląsk Wrocław), was not a bed of roses. After narrow 2-1 away wins against BKS Stal Bielsko and 1-0 against Wlókniarz Lodz (Karas’s goal in extra time), the team had to travel to Opole in the quarter-finals to play against second-tier Odra, who were promoted back to the top division in a few months’ time.
The match itself, played by promotion (it was the official inauguration of the spring round of football in our country) started with attacks from the locals, who set the tone of the game, practically throughout the meeting. However, in the first quarter of an hour on a slippery, cold and hard pitch, it was the Mielecs who developed the better goal-scoring opportunities. Stali’s game was well led by director Kasperczak (he took the first, strong shot at the rival goal), Lato was also active. The locals only attacked the Mielecs from 20-30 metres, hence many of the visitors’ shots from distance. The second half of the duel saw more determined attacks from Odra, as side defenders Gano and Harańczyk, and even stopper Korek joined in the offensive actions. The second line also woke up, with Kwaśniewski and Masztaler leading the way. Two of the hosts’ actions were close to success, but in the 51st minute Koźniewski’s strike was deflected into the corner by Oratowski, and thirteen minutes later Tyc forced Kukla to intervene.
Overtime began at an unprecedented pace, as if the players had not played for 90 minutes before. There was no lack of ambition, will to fight and ironclad fitness going forward. In the 100th minute, a perfect opportunity in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Krupa was missed by Grzegorz Lato. The national team left winger rehabilitated himself 60 seconds before the final whistle of the arbiter. His shot this time was precise, Stal won again in this edition of the PP by one goal to make it to the semi-finals… But about that, perhaps I will write on another occasion.
24.02.1976 – Opole, 1/4 of the Polish Cup, Odra Opole – Stal Mielec 0-1 (0-0, 0-0)
Referee: Kustoń (Poznań) Spectators: 15,000
Odra: Krupa – Gano, Korek, Harańczyk, Krawczyk, A.Kot, Koźniewski, Kwaśniewski, Tyc, Masztaler, Klose (74 E.Kot) Coach : A.Piechniczek
Stal: Kukla – Rześny, Kosiński, Oratowski, Per, Hnatio, Lato, Kasperczak, Karaś, Domarski (46 Sekulski), Krawczyk Coach: E.Zientara
Goal: Lato 119 min.
Stali’s league balances against Odra Opole are 20 premier league matches (7 Stali wins, 6 draws, 7 defeats, goals: 20-21). In the second tier of the competition, 8 matches were played (4 draws, 4 defeats, goals: 6-11). In the Polish Cup, there were two rivalries (1 victory for Stal, 1 defeat, goals: 2-2).
Photo Archive of Leszek Śledziona, Sport 26.02.1976, p. 1.
