As the final day of the 2012/13 Pierwsza Liga arrives, we now know that the promotion spots will be decided by a licensing committee rather than the actions on the pitch. However four sides, Zawisza Bydgoszcz, Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza, Cracovia and Flota Świnoujście will be still aiming to finish in the top two, giving themselves the best possible chance of promotion. With a number of various permutations possible, it can be very confusing. But here we will try to tell you (“try” being the operative word) what each side needs to finish in those important promotion spots.
FIXTURES
Flota Świnoujście – Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza
Polonia Bytom – Zawisza Bydgoszcz
Miedź Legnica – Cracovia
AS IT STANDS
1st – Zawisza Bydgoszcz, 63 pts
2nd- Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza, 63 pts
3rd – Cracovia, 61 pts
4th – Flota Świnoujście, 60 pts
WHAT THEY NEED
Zawisza Bydgoszcz
CHAMPIONS:
A win will lift Zawisza the trophy, whilst a draw is enough should Nieciecza fail to win. If Zawisza lose, then the must hope that Nieciecza lose and Cracovia fail to win.
PROMOTION:
A point is good enough for promotion as, whilst their head-to-head results are equal, Cracovia have a much worse goal difference. A loss is only enough should either Nieciecza lose or Cracovia fail to win.
Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza
CHAMPIONS:
To win the league, Nieciecza must better Zawisza’s result against Bytom.
PROMOTION:
Due to their head-to-head results, a draw is enough the stave off Cracovia regardless of their result. However should Zawisza draw and Cracovia win, a draw will see Nieciecza miss out. Should Cracovia lose and Zawisza pick up at least a point, only a five-goal-or-more defeat against Flota will see them miss out. However should Zawisza lose, confusingly any loss against Flota will see Nieciecza miss out.
Cracovia
CHAMPIONS:
To win the league, Cracovia must win away at Miedź Legnica, and hope that both Zawisza and Nieciecza lose.
PROMOTION:
To return to the Ekstraklasa, Cracovia MUST win. They also
must hope that both Nieciecza and Zawisza draw or lose.
Flota Świnoujście
CHAMPIONS:
Impossible. No matter their result against Nieciecza, they cannot surpass Zawisza Bydgoszcz on head-to-head.
PROMOTION:
If Zawisza lose, any victory will be good enough to see Flota pass Nieciecza in to second place. However should Zawisza win or draw, Flota will require a winning margin of at least five goals. They also will also require Cracovia to drop points.
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