Very surprising words from the Jagiellonia coach after the match.

The very fact that Jagiellonia Białystok won the Polish championship has cinematic potential – the first trophy in history came after a terrible season in which they had to save themselves from relegation, it was won in beautiful style, decorated with lots of goals scored. And in all this there was a dramatic side plot: the fight between friends – Adrian Siemieniec and Dawid Szulczek. One man’s happiness meant another man’s tragedy. – I have mixed feelings – said Siemieniec after winning the championship.

This week, Siemieniec and Szulczek did not talk, although they call each other regularly. They have been friends for over a dozen years, Siemieniec was a witness at Szulczek’s wedding. This year, life wrote an unusual scenario for them: in the last round of the season, one friend – in order to achieve his own goal – had to push the other towards the abyss.

Jagiellonia Białystok’s victory gave it the championship, but at the same time it meant that Warta Poznań could find itself in the relegation zone. Warta Poznań’s victory kept it alive, but it could have deprived Jagiellonia of its first championship in history. One man’s happiness could mean another man’s sadness. There was, of course, a variant in which Siemieniec would celebrate the championship and Szulczek would retain, but for this they needed favorable results in other matches. There hasn’t been such an exciting last round since 2009 – four teams were at risk of relegation, and two had a chance to win the championship.

Both coaches spoke about their friendship and the emotionally difficult meeting at press conferences.

– We didn’t talk this week. We last heard from each other last week, shortly before the match between Warta and Legia Warszawa . There was no need to say anything later, because everything became clear. We knew what this result meant (Warta’s defeat 0:1 – ed.). We knew how important our last match was. We don’t stop liking each other or being friends, but we are both focused on this match , on preparations, on winning. Dawid thinks about his team and his victory, and I think about Jagiellonia and our victory. This is completely normal. We are professionals and in professional sports some things are left aside – said Siemieniec.

– Yes, life has written a unique scenario for us. I would really like to be happy after this match , but at the same time I wish the best for Adrian. Winning the championship would be great. Especially since it is the first championship in the club’s history. But I’m very sorry: we can’t help with that. If life wrote such a scenario that after this match, both Warta and Jagiellonia would be happy, it would be great, but if I have to choose between Warta’s joy and Jagiellonia’s joy, I obviously choose Warta’s joy. For me, it is crucial that Warta survives, said Szulczek.

They hugged and went their separate ways. Jagiellonia and Siemieniec are in the championship, Warta and Szulczek are relegated from the top league

But fate was ruthless. Jagiellonia won 3-0 and knocked Warta out of the Ekstraklasa. She scored the first goal after a positional attack, the second after a set piece, and the third after a counterattack – all in just 26 minutes. It would be difficult to find a clearer proof of Jagiellonia’s versatility and a more clear confirmation that they were the best team in Poland this season. Anyone who was worried that their players would not be able to withstand the pressure and would fall over in the final stretch quickly lost any doubts. Jagiellonia played freely and lightly. In the moment of truth, in front of a full stadium, being one step away from the historic championship, she showed her best side. It could be said with a pinch of salt that the Śląsk Wrocław players, whose match with Raków Częstochowa was delayed due to heavy rainfall and water on the pitch, had no reason to go on the pitch anymore. Jagiellonia quickly robbed both Silesia and the Warta of their dreams.

Warta’s safety is in the hands of Lech Poznań – a derby rival with whom it has been in good relations for years. This is a unique situation – clubs from the same city usually hate each other. Warta couldn’t do anything against Jagiellonia on their own – they were clearly weaker and deservedly lost 0:3. However, it would be a nice neighborly help in times of need if Lech managed to maintain the lead against Korona Kielce in the second half. But first he lost Filip Marchwiński, who got a red card, and then he lost two goals and lost 1:2. It was the team from Kielce that survived at the expense of Warta.

After the match, Siemieniec and Szulczek hugged each other, said two short sentences to each other and went in two different directions: Siemieniec to celebrate the greatest success of his career, and Szulczek to celebrate the first such a painful defeat. Later, Siemieniec briefly talked to a “Canal+” reporter: – I don’t know what to say. Really, I have no words. But the situation is very difficult, because I know what it means for Dawid… It’s difficult for me too. I have mixed feelings. My joy was subdued at first. The scenario I wanted to avoid came true. The league lasts 34 rounds, so you have to look at it from a broader perspective, but I wanted us to enjoy together today. It didn’t work, he said.