KSG notes: Gornik wins, Turcan cut, and more

Some good news on Gornik Zabrze’s final day in Turkey during winter pre-season, as  the club came away with a 2-1 victory over Ukrainian first division club FC Sevastopol, which happens to be the current club of former Polish international Mariusz Lewandowski. He, however, did not play.  Gornik was becoming desperate for just a goal, let alone a win. In it’s previous three matches, Gornik hasn’t scored any goals, and lost two of the matches. While scoring does seem to be a big issue, it wasn’t in todays game, as Arkadiusz Milik scored a beauty goal, and shortly after Aleksander Kwiek put a shot away from atop the box.

Who is Mihai Turcan?

Last week, it was said by Gornik Zabrze assistant coach Bogdan Zajac, that Gornik was still hoping to sign one of two players before the season starts. Of the two most possible signings, were Roman Romanczuk and Mihai Turcan, because both of these players were with Gornik in their training camp in Turkey. Romanczuk was send home after the match on Saturday, however, Turcan has been told he will stay, atleast until the end of camp. With pre-season winding down, it’s looking like Gornik has been impressed by Turcan that they may offer him a contract.

Today, Zajac said after a light workout that Turcan will be tested to the max, and should see playing time in both of the clubs final two preseason games this week.

Arkadiusz Milik named to U-18 National team

Polish Under-18 national team head coach Janusz Bialek made his call-ups today for the late February training camp squad, that will also face England, and Gornik Zabrze’s 17-year old striker Arkadiusz Milik has made the squad. Milik was signed this past summer from 3 division side Rozwoj Katowice. Manager Adam Nawalka was so impressed with the kid in his first training camp, that Milik started the first two matches of the season for Gornik. He has appeared 11 times for Gornik this season, 5 times as a starter.

He remains as one of Poland’s biggest prospects. He has already been called-up in the past to the U-17 and U-19 and in the winter of 2010, Milik spend much of his time in England, on trial with both Reading and Tottenham Hotspur.

KSG notes: Lost match, Chalas, Nakoulma and more

Wasn’t exactly the busiest day for the club, as they are nearing the end of preseason in Turkey and preparing themselves for Legia Warsaw matchup in the first round of the spring season, but there was some noteworthy stuff.

Gornik was in action on Saturday, but they lost to second place club from Uzbekistan Nasaf Qarshi 0-1. With Gornik just facing Sturm Graz on Friday, it used mostly a secondary squad in today’s game. Just a year ago, Gornik lost to this same team 1-3, so despite losing, the club is making improvements. Adam Marciniak, who is on the verge of being transferred to Cracovia Krakow, played a full-90. Nasaf Qarshi’s lone goal came on a penalty kick in the 85th minute. KSG Squad: Witkowski (46′ Sławik) – Płonka (46′ Król), Kopacz, Marciniak, Telichowski – Thomik, Romanczuk, Cholerzyński, Wodecki – Turcan – Zieliński (78′ Milik).

Official: Piotr Gierczak signs with GKS Katowice

We just knew this was going to happen, but today, it’s become official, that Gornik Zabrze legend Piotr Gierczak has signed with Polish 1.Liga club GKS Katowice. Gierczak’s contract expired in January, and the club made it known they would not be bringing him back. He was currently in his third stint with Gornik Zabrze. During his career in Zabrze, Gierczak appeared in 225 matches and scored 43 times. However, he has only appeared 3 times this season in the fall. And did not score any. Each time on the field, it showed the 35 year old, was just out of his league at this point of his career.

Help Wanted

I will be doing my best again to try to keep this blog updated and active. However, with the time difference of living in America, it does get tough to be the only blogger for such a club. To get some work off my shoulders, if there’s anybody out there who would like to blog about Gornik Zabrze in English, please let me know. Either comment below or e-mail me @ LKotecki003@Student.monroecc.edu . Thank you!

Numbers revealed for new signings

For anybody interested, I have learned which numbers the new players will wear for Gornik in the spring season. Growing up in Gliwice, whenever Gornik signed a player, I remember I would also wonder to find out which numbers they will wear. So, hopefully theres someone out there who also keeps interest in it, as I did as a child.

Norbert Witkowski- 33

Blazej Telichowski- 23

Michal Zielinski – 25

Oleksandr Shevelyukhin – 5

Polish Cup: Wisla Plock 1:3 Gornik

Gornik Zabrze played Wisla Plock in the first round of the Polish Cup on Wednesday, and won 1-3, advancing to the next round. Adam Nawalka’s squad showed up strong and dominated a full 90 minutes in route to a easy victory. Some fans were worried of a let down game, as Gornik has been playing well so far this season and does have the better team on paper then Plock. In any case, that wasn’t the case today for Gornik.

The first two goals came by “old man” Piotr Gierczak, who was a star with Gornik early in his career from 1997 to 2003, and then re-joined the club for a year in 2007. Now, in his third stint with the team at the age of 34, Gierczak is the like the old man on campus. His first goal came in the 31st minute, and the second all the way in the 84th. In stoppage time, Tomasz Zahorski scored the third goal. Plock’s lone goal, also came in stoppage time, by Nowacki.

Arka/Gornik: Winners and Losers

The column is up a little later then usual, but it’s still here, some of my final thoughts on Match Day 3, a 0-2 loss by Gornik Zabrze on the road at Arka Gdynia. Some fans would like to get a bit annoyed by Adam Nawalka’s club, but, I would just want to say don’t worry, yet atleast. Gornik has had a tough schedule to begin the season. One thing everyone needs to consider is this, Gornik just got promoted from 1.Liga and made many transfers this summer to improve their squad. Their owners would not all them to go into the season with a second division squad and battle in the Ekstraklasa. It’s just not how Allianz operates. They have set high standards and high hopes for this team. But, at the same time, realistic goals.

Match Day 3: Arka 2:0 Gornik

Gornik Zabrze traveled to play Arka Gdynia on Saturday looking for 3-points against a club  who has yet to score a goal on the season. The conditions for the game were very bad, it was a very hot and humid night in Gdynia, however, both sides had to deal with the high temperatures.

The starting lineup for Gornik was not changed from a week ago, when the team played pretty much a flawless match against Lubin. Manager Adam Nawalka trusts in this XI, with the only player maybe starting due to injuries may be Michal Bemben, because i do believe Adam Danch would be starting there if healthy.