Zawisza Bydgoszcz vs Górnik Zabrze: Polish Cup Clash Sparks Massive Fan Mobilization

Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Górnik Zabrze faced off on April 8, 2026, in a semi-final match of the STS Polish Cup. The encounter took place at the Stadion im. Zdzisława Krzyszkowiaka, with the match scheduled for 5:00 PM.

The event drew significant attention in Bydgoszcz, resulting in a large mobilization of security services and causing traffic disruptions across the city. Gazeta Pomorska reported that approximately 2,000 Górnik Zabrze supporters traveled to Bydgoszcz, including a documented march to the stadium.

Match Officials and Team Management

Damian Sylwestrzak served as the referee for the semi-final clash. On the sidelines, Zawisza Bydgoszcz was led by coach Adrian Stawski, who was appointed on July 1, 2024. Stawski entered the match with a success rate of 1.43 points per match, though his record specifically against Górnik Zabrze stood at one match with zero wins, zero draws, and one loss.

Górnik Zabrze was managed by Michal Gasparik, who took over the role on July 1, 2025, and is under contract until June 30, 2027.

Squad Composition and Market Value

There was a notable disparity in market value and squad experience between the two sides. Górnik Zabrze entered the match with a total market value of €21.28 million and an average player age of 26.9. Their squad included three national team players and four youth national team players, with 16 foreigners in the group.

In contrast, Zawisza Bydgoszcz featured an average player age of 24.2 and had no national team or youth national team players in their squad. The team also contained no foreign players. The club membership for Zawisza was listed at 60, compared to 190,000 for Górnik Zabrze.

Both teams utilized a 4-3-3 formation for the match. Zawisza’s lineup included players such as Oczkowski, Wszolek, Golak, Staniak, Slawek, Cywinski, Kona, Szramowski, Strzyzewski, Kozlowski, and Rak. Górnik Zabrze’s squad featured Kamil Krawczyk in goal, supported by defenders such as Kacper Nowak, Mikolaj Dziarkowski, and Patryk Urbanski.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head History

Zawisza Bydgoszcz entered the fixture with a mixed run of recent results, including a 4-1 victory over Wisła Kraków and a 3-0 win against Wikielec, but also a 0-4 loss to Lech Poznan and a 1-3 defeat to Radomiak Radom.

Górnik Zabrze showed strong form leading up to the semi-final, securing victories against Cracovia (3-0), Raków Częstochowa (3-1), and Lech Poznan (1-0), while recording draws against Widzew Łódź and Motor Lublin.

Historical meetings between the two clubs have been varied. In their last 10 encounters, results included:

• April 29, 2015: Górnik Zabrze 2-1 Zawisza
• November 9, 2014: Zawisza 1-2 Górnik Zabrze
• May 28, 2014: Zawisza 0-1 Górnik Zabrze
• March 26, 2014: Górnik Zabrze 0-3 Zawisza (Quarter-Finals)
• March 18, 2014: Zawisza 2-1 Górnik Zabrze (Quarter-Finals)
• March 7, 2014: Zawisza 3-1 Górnik Zabrze
• September 30, 2013: Górnik Zabrze 3-2 Zawisza
• April 9, 1994: Górnik Zabrze 5-0 Zawisza
• August 7, 1993: Zawisza 0-1 Górnik Zabrze
• April 17, 1993: Górnik Zabrze 3-0 Zawisza