Jagiellonia Białystok defeated Warta Poznań 3:0 on the final day of the season in the Polish Ekstraklasa to clinch the league title for the first time in the club’s 104-year history.
The team came into the final game of the season knowing that only victory would guarantee them being crowned champions.
Śląsk Wrocław, who pushed them all the way, began and ended the day level on points. Only Jagellonia’s superior goal difference saw them pip the Wrocławians to the post.
Any pre-match nerves swiftly dissipated with Jagiellonia starting the most important match in their history superbly, storming into a two-goal lead in the first 11 minutes.
In the 5th minute, Pululu set up Nene to open the scoring, before Taras Romanczuk headed home a second. Spaniard Imaz calmly slotted in a third on the half-volley in the 26th minute.
Śląsk Wrocław, who pushed them all the way, began and ended the day level on points. Only Jagellonia’s superior goal difference saw them pip the Wrocławians to the post.
Playing in front of a full house, with 22,000 fans packed into the stadium, there was a party atmosphere, including around 6,000 schoolchildren as part of the ‘Young Ultra’ campaign.PERFEKCYJNY finisz @Jagiellonia1920! 💪🏆#JAGWAR 3:0 pic.twitter.com/VKPYhkrUoS
— PKO BP Ekstraklasa (@_Ekstraklasa_) May 25, 2024
Any pre-match nerves swiftly dissipated with Jagiellonia starting the most important match in their history superbly, storming into a two-goal lead in the first 11 minutes.
In the 5th minute, Pululu set up Nene to open the scoring, before Taras Romanczuk headed home a second. Spaniard Imaz calmly slotted in a third on the half-volley in the 26th minute.
In the second half, Jagellonia retreated and displayed the type of composed possession football that has become synonymous with them this season.
Their stylish approach owes much to their hugely impressive young manager Adrian Siemieniec, who has overseen a remarkable turnaround in the club’s trajectory.
Siemieniec is just 32. He was appointed interim manager in April last year, becoming the youngest-ever manager in the Polish top flight, at the tender age of 31. After steering Jagellonia away from the threat of relegation, he got the job on a full-time basis.
When the final whistle blew, Jaga fans could not withhold their joy, with thousands running onto the pitch to celebrate and embrace the players.
The purchase of winger Dominik Marczuk from Stal Rzeszów, turned out to arguably be the signing of the season. The acquisition of striker Afimico Pululu also turned out to be smart after he formed a potent attack with Jesus Imaz.
Despite the impressive newcomers, Imaz, Taras Romanczuk (both older than the coach) are the team’s most dependable players.
Białystok’s victory represented the first time a club from the east of the country had won a league title in the modern era. Until last season, when Raków Częstochowa were crowned champions, title winners mostly came from Poland's biggest cities, Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań.
Next season, Jagiellonia will play in the Champions League qualifiers, the Polish Cup winners Wisła Kraków in the Europa League qualifiers, and Śląsk Wrocław and Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Their stylish approach owes much to their hugely impressive young manager Adrian Siemieniec, who has overseen a remarkable turnaround in the club’s trajectory.
Siemieniec is just 32. He was appointed interim manager in April last year, becoming the youngest-ever manager in the Polish top flight, at the tender age of 31. After steering Jagellonia away from the threat of relegation, he got the job on a full-time basis.
When the final whistle blew, Jaga fans could not withhold their joy, with thousands running onto the pitch to celebrate and embrace the players.
Jagellonia’s achievement should not be underestimated. After flirting with relegation last season they began this term relatively unfancied and with the league’s seventh-largest budget.🏆🥇 Mistrz Polski 2023/24 - JAGIELLONIA BIAŁYSTOK 💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/bxdyXLgbgb
— Kuba Seweryn (@KubaSeweryn) May 25, 2024
The purchase of winger Dominik Marczuk from Stal Rzeszów, turned out to arguably be the signing of the season. The acquisition of striker Afimico Pululu also turned out to be smart after he formed a potent attack with Jesus Imaz.
Despite the impressive newcomers, Imaz, Taras Romanczuk (both older than the coach) are the team’s most dependable players.
Białystok’s victory represented the first time a club from the east of the country had won a league title in the modern era. Until last season, when Raków Częstochowa were crowned champions, title winners mostly came from Poland's biggest cities, Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań.
Next season, Jagiellonia will play in the Champions League qualifiers, the Polish Cup winners Wisła Kraków in the Europa League qualifiers, and Śląsk Wrocław and Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Source: Rzeczpospolita, Polskie Radio 24
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