Only four Ekstraklasa clubs made it through the Polish Cup round of 32, and that is the worst top-flight return at this stage in the competition's history. Lech Poznań's exit to fourth-division Siarka Tarnobrzeg was the most striking result, but the damage goes far beyond one upset.
The scale of the collapse
The four survivors are Lech Poznań, Śląsk Wrocław, Raków Czestochowa, Górnik Zabrze, Wisla Plock and Jagiellonia Bialystok? No. The four Ekstraklasa clubs still standing are Raków Czestochowa, Górnik Zabrze, Wisla Plock and Jagiellonia Bialystok. That leaves the second division with six teams in the round of 16, while the III Liga has matched the Ekstraklasa with four clubs and two fourth-tier sides have also stayed in the draw.
The previous low point for the top division came in the 1953/54 and 1955/56 seasons, when five top-flight sides reached the round of 16. This time the ceiling is lower before the next stage has even been played, and the gap between the Ekstraklasa and the lower tiers is plain in the numbers.
The results that broke the bracket
Lech Poznań lost 0-1 to Siarka Tarnobrzeg, and on 27 October three top-division sides fell. Legia Warszawa were beaten by Motor Lublin, while Śląsk Wrocław conceded a 95th-minute equaliser and then lost 1-2 to Odra Opole in extra time.
Even the strongest top-flight names have not been insulated. Górnik Zabrze sit second in the Ekstraklasa with 27 points from 12 matches, and Lech Poznań are top with 28 points from 11 matches and a +19 goal difference, yet the cup has still cut through them. The lower leagues have taken control of the bracket instead.
The round of 16 now starts with six second-tier clubs, four from the III Liga and only four from the top flight. That is the story the Polish Cup has produced, and the next stage begins with the lower divisions carrying the momentum.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
