Stal have won away against Chorzów’s Ruch as many as eight times, but this time we face a skirmish with this rival on neutral ground in Gliwice, at the Piasta Stadium. This time, let’s go back in our memories to the last match against this rival in the Premier League, which took place in Mielec in the spring of 1995. The Mielcans were 9th in the league table before that match, while the visitors were in the relegation zone. The forecast of Przegląd Sportowy promised an interesting match: …On the one hand, the hosts will want to greet the public nicely in the spring round, because a good start ensures decent attendance for a long time. On the other hand, Ruch – mentally strengthened by their victory over GKS and very, very much in need of points. Albin Wira will probably set Chorzów players to play from the counter… Mielczanie will also take advantage of the weakness of the visitors’ defence to effectively “stir” under Ryszard Kołodziejczyk‘s goal. We therefore bet on a goal draw.
Nothing could be further from the truth, it was an extremely spectacular match, with as many as 6 spectacular goals scored. The first, in the 19th minute, was scored by the visitors with a spectacular strike from around 20 metres (the ball bounced off the post) by Piotr Rowicki (who played seven games for Stal in the autumn of 1992). Not four minutes passed and it was 0-2, after an unfortunate intervention of the hosts’ defender (suicidal header) Krzysztof Tomanek. The locals, inspired by Franz Smuda, did not break down and made up for the loss already before the break after two accurate strikes (with his left foot after Federkiewicz’s pass and with his head after Kloc’s throw-in from the right) by Mielec fans’ favourite Bogus Cygan.
After the change of halves, the Steelmen pressed their opponent even harder. In the 51st minute, after a cross from the right by Janusz Czyrek, Rafał Domarski, son of the famous Jan, showed off with a precise header. And almost a quarter of an hour later, a bizarre goal was scored, still remembered by many of our fans. A strong kick from the corner of his own penalty area sent the ball into the 40-yard box by the visitors’ goalkeeper Lech. Our filigree midfielder Janusz Kaczówka quickly took control of the ball and then sent it straight into the net with an impressive lob. Earlier and later Stal had opportunities to score further goals (Tomanek 58, Cygan 64 and Adamus 80 min.), but the final score remained unchanged. Also noteworthy in this match was the debut in front of his home crowd (he had played for the first time in Stal’s colours a week earlier in an away game against Stalowa Wola) of the fourth foreigner in history (after the three Ukrainians), acquired from Cameroonian Prévoyance Yaoundé – striker Ebénézer Mfomou.
At this link you can watch all the goals from this meeting – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgqIxQcBek
11.03.1995 – Mielec, 19th round 1st league, Stal Mielec – Ruch Chorzów 4-2 (2-2)
Referee: Wojcik (Opole) Spectators: 2,774
Stal: Wyparło – Tomanek, Federkiewicz (ż), Adamus, Łętocha, Ruta, Kloc, Czyrek (75 Barnak), Kaczówka, Cygan, Domarski (69 Mfomou) Coach: F.Smuda
Ruch: Lech – Siemianowski, Pieniążek (ż), P.Mosór (ż), Rowicki, Benedyk, Galeja (80 Wleciałowski), Gęsior, Wawrzyczek, Śrutwa (46 Jaworski), Posiłek Coach: A.Wira
Goals: Cygan 35, 44, Domarski 51, Kaczówka 64 – Rowicki 19, Tomanek 23 (selfie) min.
Stali Mielec’s league balance against Ruch Chorzów in the Premier League is as follows. There have been 46 duels (15 wins for Stali, 11 draws, 20 defeats, goals: 45-59). In the 1st league (2nd tier of the competition), only two matches were contested, in the 2017/18 season (2 Stali wins, goals: 3-1). On the other hand, 3 matches were played in the Polish Cup (2 victories for Stali, 1 defeat, goals: 6-4).
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