Fourth-tier Siarka stun Polish champions Lech in cup shock

Fourth-tier side Siarka Tarnobrzeg pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent Polish Cup history on Wednesday, beating reigning champions Lech Poznan 1-0 in front of a packed home crowd.

The only goal of the game came from Arkadiusz Kasia in the 64th minute, punishing a Lech side that had been reduced to ten men just before half-time when Yannick Agnero was sent off in stoppage time. The hosts held firm after taking the lead, while Lech struggled to create clear chances despite their superior league status.

Despite the early 12:30 kick-off on a working day, fans filled the Stadion Miejski in Tarnobrzeg, with one banner joking that taking annual leave, skipping school or calling in sick was "obligatory" for a Polish Cup tie.

The result is all the more remarkable given Lech's recent form. Just six days earlier, they drew 1-1 with Premier League side Sunderland in the Europa League, and last Sunday they beat Legia Warsaw to go top of the Ekstraklasa table.

But Siarka were not overawed. They had already knocked out another top-flight club, Zaglebie Lubin, in the previous round, and they spent three seasons in Poland's highest division back in the 1990s before fluctuating between the third and fifth tiers. Polish Cup ties often produce upsets, but a fourth-tier side eliminating the reigning champions is a rare feat.

Goalkeeper Tomasz Pytlak told TVP Sport that many Lech players probably had no idea what Tarnobrzeg even looked like. "I think they underestimated us and did not expect us to have this kind of quality," he said.

The victory sets up an intriguing next round for Siarka, who continue their fairy-tale run in Poland's premier knockout competition.