Warsaw Mets stun Silesia Rebels to secure historic Polish Bowl berth

The Warsaw Mets advanced to their first-ever Polish Bowl in franchise history, defeating the Silesia Rebels 26-20 in a gritty semifinal clash at Katowice Stadium, rewriting their narrative with a punishing ground game and clutch defensive stops.

Ground game stuns Rebels
The Mets, traditionally reliant on their aerial attack, unleashed a relentless rushing assault led by Krzysztof Andrukonis (Offensive MVP), who bulldozed for two touchdowns. Oliwier Fijałkowski added two more scores, capitalizing on gaping holes opened by an offensive line that dominated the trenches. Coordinator Jason Abney’s strategic pivot to a run-heavy scheme neutralized Silesia’s defense, which had no answer for Andrukonis’ downhill bursts and Fijałkowski’s precision in short-yardage situations.

Defensive stand seals historic win
With Silesia trailing 26-20 and under three minutes left, Rebels QB Jeremiah Tucker (3 TDs) faced a do-or-die drive. Defensive MVP Edilson Gourgel batted down a deep pass on third down, then intercepted Tucker’s fourth-down heave to extinguish the comeback. Linebacker Uecker iced the game with two critical first-down runs on fourth-and-short, allowing the Mets to drain the clock.

Tucker’s brilliance not enough
Tucker accounted for all three Rebels touchdowns, including a 6-yard scamper and two pinpoint throws, but the Mets’ secondary tightened in critical moments. Silesia’s offense sputtered after halftime, managing just one field goal in the final 25 minutes despite Tucker’s 187 passing yards.

Scoring summary

• Second Quarter: Tucker’s 6-yard TD run (6-0 Rebels); Andrukonis’ 7-yard response (7-6 Mets).
• Third Quarter: Andrukonis’ second TD (12-7), Tucker’s 13-yard pass (13-12 Rebels), Fijałkowski’s first score (18-13 Mets).
• Fourth Quarter: Tucker’s final TD (20-18 Rebels); Fijałkowski’s dagger (26-20 Mets).

Warsaw awaits capital clash
The Mets will face crosstown rivals Warsaw Eagles in the first all-capital Polish Bowl on July 26, location TBD. The historic matchup promises a fierce battle for dominance in Polish football, with the Mets aiming to cement their Cinderella run into legend.

Key Stats:

• Warsaw Mets: 4 rushing TDs, 0 turnovers, 12 first downs via rush.
• Silesia Rebels: 3 Tucker TDs, 2/8 third-down conversions in second half.

The Mets’ semifinal triumph—a masterclass in adaptability—signals their arrival as Poland’s newest gridiron power.

Source: Warsaw Mets, Michał Nowicki