GKS Katowice vs Raków Częstochowa

The first half ended goalless, with both teams prioritising defensive shape and midfield control over risk-taking — typical of a mid-preseason friendly where managers rotate personnel and test systems.

GKS broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half. Norwegian midfielder Eman Marković found the net in the 54th minute to put the hosts ahead, capitalising on a move that opened up the Raków defence for the first time.

Raków pressed for an equaliser through the second half and finally got it five minutes from time. Adam Basse — a forward listed as American on the match sheet — rose highest to meet a corner delivery and planted a header past the GKS goalkeeper to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute. No further chances altered the scoreline before the final whistle.

Raków's 85th-minute equaliser came from a set-piece — a corner swung into the GKS box that Basse converted with a headed finish. For a GKS side that had been organised defensively throughout, the concession from a dead-ball situation will be a point of focus for manager Rafał Górak before competitive fixtures begin. Dawid Kroczek's Raków side, by contrast, will be encouraged by their persistence from set plays.

Eman Marković — The Norwegian midfielder scored the opening goal in the 54th minute, showing sharp positioning to break the deadlock in a tight game. He was GKS's most effective attacking outlet before being substituted later in the half.

Adam Basse — The American striker entered the match as a second-half substitute and delivered the equaliser with a well-timed header from a corner in the 85th minute. His impact off the bench was exactly what Kroczek would have wanted to see from a squad player.

Both teams made extensive use of substitutions — typical for a friendly — which disrupted rhythm but allowed managers to test different combinations across the pitch.

The 0-0 half-time scoreline reflects a cautious opening 45 minutes in which neither side committed numbers forward. The second half produced both goals within a 31-minute window, suggesting that fatigue and substitutions opened up spaces that had been tightly controlled earlier. The 1-1 draw — the first draw in the six-match history between these sides according to available records — is a fair reflection of a contest where both teams had spells but neither dominated.

Both clubs are deep into pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. GKS Katowice finished 5th in Ekstraklasa last season, securing a spot in UEFA Conference League qualifying. Raków Częstochowa placed 4th and will also enter the Conference League qualifiers, with their second qualifying round ties scheduled to begin on 23 July 2026 — just one week after this friendly.

This was Raków's final pre-season test before that European assignment, making the late equaliser a timely confidence booster. GKS continue their build-up with further friendlies before their own competitive opener.

A predictable pre-season draw between two well-matched Ekstraklasa sides, each still finding full match sharpness. Marković's goal showed GKS's attacking potential, but Basse's late header reminded both sides that set-piece concentration will be vital in the season ahead — especially with European qualifiers just around the corner.