Jeden zostaje, drugi awansuje

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A few days ago, the first season of VPG Polska in EA Sports FC 26 officially came to an end. In the third division, we saw the Vikings and Hooligans PL among the partners. One of them secured promotion, but which one was it? In the case of the Vikings, we covered this in the article ‘Two partners, one promotion’. We published it at a time when the Vikings still had six matches left to play. How has the situation changed since the start of this month?

The red carpet…

Since then, our partner won their match 1–0 against Sparta Zamlynie. A round later, they lost 1–2 to Mendeksy at home. In the third-tier clash against our partner (Hooligans PL), they suffered a 0–2 defeat. A point against VendettaPL was within a hair’s breadth. Our partner was just one goal short. The positive takeaway from this match is that, although it was exciting, we don’t always get to watch matches with five goals. A 2–3 defeat. In the clash with KKS Galaxy, there was quite a surprise. Hardly anyone expected such a result. The Vikings won that match by a score of – wait for it – 8–0. They ended the season with a 1–2 defeat to HOOLIGANS PL.

1-0 vs. Sparta Zamlynie, D.
1-2 vs. Mendeksy, A.
0-2 vs. Hooligans PL, D.
2-3 vs. VendettaPL, A.
8-0 vs. KKS Galaxy, A.
1-2 vs. Hooligans PL, A.

Third place this season offered a play-off spot for promotion to the second division. However, the Vikings fell just short of that third place. Definitely more than just a little. After 27 rounds, they had 36 points to their name. Meanwhile, the team that played in the play-offs had 57 points. The Vikings’ record isn’t nearly as bad as one might expect: 10 wins, 6 draws and 11 defeats. This record translates into a positive goal difference (+9).

Vikings ft (Facebook)

HOOLIGANS PL and the battle for the second division?

Hooligans PL have performed better than the Vikings this season. From the very start, they made it clear that they would be fighting for a top-three spot this season. In our last article, we ended our story with the clash against VendettaPL (1-1). Since then, our partner has played six rounds. First, a 0-2 home defeat to Mendeksy. A rebound in the clash with Goat Warriors (a 2-1 win). Then came the previously mentioned clash between the partners in the third division, namely a 2-0 victory over the Vikings. The match against CocoGang eSport ended with the same scoreline. Sparta Zamlynie scored one goal, whilst Hooligans PL scored one more, earning them three points. They ended the regular season with a 2-1 win over the Vikings.

0-2 vs. Mendeksy, W.
2-1 vs. Goat Warriors, H.
2-0 vs. Vikings, A.
2-0 vs. CocoGang eSport, W.
2-1 vs. Sparta Zamlynie, W.
2-1 vs. Vikings, D.

In the regular season, our partner finished in third place. After 27 rounds, they had 57 points, level on points with Mendeksy. However, the rivals had a much better goal difference (+40), whilst our partner would have needed to make up a 12-goal deficit. Eighteen wins, three draws and six defeats – the same record as the team in second place. We came very close to qualifying from second place, but a play-off isn’t the worst way to secure promotion either.

Play-off clash

In the play-off, our partner faced VendettaPL. According to our partner’s Facebook post, the first goal was scored in the 55th minute of the match. Twenty minutes later, the opposition scored the equaliser. The match ended 1–1 after 90 minutes. This meant extra time, during which neither team managed to score a single goal. In the penalty shoot-out, our partner proved to be the better side, and it is they who will play in the second division – congratulations!