Wisła Kraków Starts Champions League Campaign

Wisła Krakow seemed ready for the confrontation with Levadia Talinn in the second qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League 2009/2010. After having contracted attacking midfielder Łukasz Garguła and left midfielder Andraz Kirm from Slovenia, Wisła also managed to contract defender and international Mariusz Jop.

With the squad at full strength, Wisła kicked off their season with a double confrontation against Estonian champion Levadia Tallinn. First, a home game on Wednesday saw the Polish champions draw 1-1. While the Estonians scored at the end of the first half in the 43rd minute, it took until the 93rd minute, in injury-time, for Wisła to catch up.

This home game was supposed to be an easy win, although we can’t really speak of a home game for Wisła: their home ground on Aleja Reymonta is being rebuilt and Wisła has to play the majority of their home games this season in the Ludowy Stadion in Sosnowiec. Also, the heavy rain that soaked both teams during the second half certainly did not help the Cracovian team.

In general, both teams appear to be in good shape. Levadia defeated FC Lootos with a mighty 6:1 in the Estonian Meisterliga. Wisła played against the club they have to share the stadium with this season, Zagłębie Sosnowiec, and won 4:0 with a first goal for the Slovenian newcomer Andraz Kirm.

Wisła will confront Levadia Tallinn once again this coming Wednesday, 22 July, this time in the Estonian capital.