The Stalowcy were no longer the same team after finishing 6th in the 1992/93 season, the departure of coaching duo Grzegorz Lato and Janusz Białek (second division Olimpia Poznań), and Adam Fedoruk’s departure to Legia Warsaw. Under the coaching tutelage of Witold Karas and Krzysztof Rześny (second coach), with growing financial problems, they had 4 points on their account after three series, after two meagre 1-0 victories against: Hutnik Kraków and Lech Poznan (both in Mielec), while the hosts had a point less. The first 45 minutes were marked by excellent play from the hosts, who led by a difference of three goals after little more than half an hour, including a beautiful half-volley by Czerwec. And they could have scored many more (Michalczuk stamped the post with the crossbar in the 4th minute). Until the break, the Mielec players responded with just one accurate strike, when, after a short free kick, defender Ryszard Federkiewicz, with a precise strike from 22 metres, surprised former FKS goalkeeper Piotr Wojdyga.
The second leg was dominated by the local players for another quarter of an hour (two missed opportunities by Szarpak), but then the eleven from Mielec came to the fore. The contact goal for the blue and white was scored in the 59th minute by the club’s alumnus, striker Krzysztof Bociek, who took advantage of Cisk’s mistake by hitting an empty goal. After this goal, the determination of the Mielec players increased even more, despite the heat and the ghostly atmosphere in the Widzewski stadium. Eight minutes before the end of regulation time the last goal was scored, in what was an exciting duel for the few spectators. After a pass from Ukrainian Oleksiy Tereshchenko, the ball went straight to the head of Pavel Curzytek , who had been introduced in the first half, and he struck precisely. The saddened faces of the Łódź coaches after the match were commented on by the local sponsor Andrzej Grajewski in Przegląd Sportowy: You know, for me it doesn’t matter at all. I wanted Widzew to win high. I saved the money I promised the players for a win by a difference of three goals.
04.08.1993 – Łódź, 4th round 1st League, Widzew Łódź – Stal Mielec 3-3 (3-1)
Referee: Listkiewicz (Warsaw) Spectators: 1,610
Widzew: Wojdyga – Szulc, Godlewski, Bajor, Myśliński (55 Jóźwiak), Wyciszkiewicz, Iwanicki (46 Szarpak), Czerwiec, Cisek, Koniarek, Michalczuk Coach: M.Woziński
Stal: Wyparło – Tomanek, Federkiewicz, Bartkowski (ż), Tereszczenko, Barnak (69 Pilawiecki), Drożdż (21 Curzytek), Ruta, Tułacz, Czyrek, Bociek Coach: W.Karaś
Goals: Cisek 2, Wyciszkiewicz 11, Czerwiec 33 – Federkiewicz 34, Bociek 59, Curzytek 82 min.
In summary, the balance of only extra-class duels between Stali and Widzew is 36 matches (6 wins for Stali, 15 draws, 15 defeats, goals: 38-50). 1 meeting was played in the Polish Cup, a 0-2 defeat for Stali. 3 matches were played in the League Cup in 1977 and 1978 (unofficial) (1 win, 2 defeats; goals: 2-3).
Leszek Śledziona
