Proud night for Wisla
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Article summary
Wisla Kraków 4-1 Parma AC(Agg: 5-3) Wisla fought back from a goal behind to triumph.
Article body
Wisla Kraków have become the first Polish team since 1994 to reach the third round of the UEFA Cup after a memorable match against Parma AC that needed extra time.
Four goals
The Polish club, trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Italy, were given even more of an impossible mission when they conceded after just six minutes of tonight's second leg. However, after Adriano's goal the night was all about Wisla and they scored four times without reply to maintain their interest in the competition.
No chance
It was all so different when Adriano gave Wisla goalkeeper Angelo Hugues no chance from 12 metres. However, with unstinting support from the home crowd, Wisla slowly worked their way back into contention. The first goal was a long while in coming, though.
Opportunities missed
In the 18th minute, Kalu Uche's header missed the crossbar by just a few centimetres then, five minutes later, Maciej Zurawski had a chance to test Sebastien Frey in the Parma goal but to no avail. Just before the interval, Zurawski and Uche combined in possibly the best chance of the half only for the latter to miss the target again.
Determined mood
Wisla started the second half in determined mood but still could not find the net. Three minutes in, Miroslaw Szymkowiak hit the bar with a rasping drive from 25 metres but it was to be another 12 minutes before the Wisla fans were finally celebrating a goal. Kamil Kosowski was the scorer and the home fans could sense a way back into the tie.
Fierce shot
Zurawski then turned hope into expectancy with a fierce shot that gave Frey no chance on 80 minutes. The game was headed into extra time, and Wisla were now favourites to secure a famous victory. A downhearted Parma were finally knocked out by Zurawski's second, a similar effort to his first, and a fourth goal by substitute Daniel Dubicki.
'Step forward'
"I am very happy," said Wisla coach Henryk Kasperczak. "We won after beating a very strong team. Kraków and Poland are happy with this and it is a step forward for Polish football. My team were very determined. When we lost the first goal, all the players wanted to take revenge."
