Wroclaw and Poznan advance in Europa League

Szymon Pawlowski (R) of Lech Poznan attacks during Thursday's game against Honka Espoo. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Having hammered Montenegro side Rudar Pljevlja 4-0 at home a week ago, Wroclaw Slask were eager to wrap up the second leg match.

The visitors managed to put away two goals in the first half, thanks to Waldemar Sobota and Marco Paixao.

However, Rudar Pljevlja were not going to go down without a fight, putting two goals in the back of the guests' net in the second half. But the 2-2 draw was enough to see the visitors through.

Meanwhile, Lech Poznan also went into their match in buoyant spirits, having defeated Finnish side Honka Espoo 3-1 last week.

The team started as it meant to go on, with Lukasz Teodorczyk scoring in the sixth minute, followed by another from Tomasz Kedziora at 40 minutes. A Honka goal from Sampo Koskinen was not enough to change the tide.

Meanwhile, Piast Gliwice gave their all against Azerbaijani side Qarabag, having narrowly lost the first leg 4-3.

But a 2-2 draw on Thursday, with goals from Mateusz Matras and Marcin Robak were not enough, with the game stretching to 108 minutes before Qarabag scoted the decisive goal.

“We've got nothing to be ashamed of,” captain Tomasz Podgorski told Polish Radio.

“We tried to get a third goal but it didn't work out.”

Wroclaw Slask go on to play Belgian side Club Brugge, while Lech Poznan will face Lithuanian team Zalgiris Vilnius.

The first leg of the third qualifying round will be played on 1 August. (nh)