The Polish Prospect

[Master Chief123]

"And this player is unimaginably brilliant. He scores goals so easily, he makes plays, and he's basically running the 2 Liga. Why does he stay there?"

Who? He's Alex Gali. He plays in the 2 Liga of the Polish League, and for the team Bielsko Biala.

And he is one hot prospect.

Only 18 years old, Alex seemed to be nothing special when he played for Widzew Wodz. He scored in his first few games but 8 games and 3 goals he knew it wasn't for him.
Bielsko-Biala came calling and he said yes. It took him about 10 games to get into form and then? Be careful.

He ended the season with 25 games and 32 goals in total, with 6 assists. Sounds pretty brilliant, huh? Defenders can hardly touch him. He scores from all over the place, has a brilliant header and scored 3-4 free kicks that season. Around that time he got his first call up to the Polish national team and scored a hat trick against Turkey for Poland's 4-2 win. He got called up against Wales, and a brilliant performance appeared.

Drilling 5 goals into the net, including two from 30 yards, and creating one goal, he was instrumental in their 8-2 win.

This current season, when you think the (now 18 year old) can't get better, he has.

Bielsko-Biala are huge favorites for the Polish Cup after brilliant wins, including a 1-0 win against Polish giants Wisla Krakow, despite being arguably Alex's worst game of the season(I got a rating of 2! Ouch!)

Currently playing 20 games in the season and clocking in an unimaginable 48 goals into the net, that's not all he can do. He has created an astonishing 18 goals this season. His dribbling and passing are nearly unstoppable, and this is why Bielsko-Biala are on the top.

It's said that he'll make a huge move to a big european team. He hasn't commented on this, but it looks like he wants to win the Orange Ekstraklasa before thinking about leaving. With a team like this, who said they can't do it?

Henry Winter, FourFourTwo Magazine

[Soha]

nice wrote Podbeskidzie wasnt and won't be better than yours ;] keep going and Champions League will be yours! ;d

[Nando]

Nice. I told you it would be great.

Give us more FourFourTwo Magazine specials.

[Master Chief123]

Haha thanks guys. Alright Nando, here's the next part of me in FourFourTwo!


Gali Out for rest of season

The 18 year old striker who's bleeding goals has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a injury to his hamstring.

Alex helped lead Bielsko-Biala to the Poland Cup Finals, and just days before the final he was ruled out of it. In this interview he proves he speaks english very well and he showes his feelings about being left out.

"It's not great. I've not had the best form in the Polish Cup, with two games not going so well for me, and I get injured when I wish I could help in the final."

He told us that the doctors say he'll be out for atleast 10 games.

Unfortunately, Bielsko-Biala lost 2-0 in the final to GKS Belchatow. They will have a large sense of accomplishment, though, as they are leading the league with 73 points, Nowy Dwor in second with 63, and with only 4 games left in the season. More recently we talked to him again and he commented :
" It's a good accomplishment. An amazing accomplishment. We're being promoted and we made it to a cup final. I'm looking to win the Orange Ekstraklasa next year. "

He astonishingly played 32 games and scored 73 goals this season, while creating 25. This helped him get two more callups to the Polish national team, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over San Marino, and equalizing and taking the lead with two goals before falling 3-2 to Scotland. Look out for the striker being back next season.

Henry Winter, FourFourTwo Magazine

[Nando]

FourFourTwo just loves you!

[Soha]

hehe, i nearly always have the same situation (both- in nss2 and nss3) that i manage to qualify to national cup final, but i get injury or something and i cant play and nearly always too i lose these matches...

[Nando]

Injuries bring back some bad memories... I can tell you that. You get injured when you least expect it and when you least want.

[Master Chief123]

A Dramatic Conquest



Dispite Gali's injury, he was still picked for the national team that made it for the world cup, and missed the first two games - the 2-1 loss to Morocco and the 2-1 win over Korea. He was back for Croatia and as soon as he got the ball he scored, and then scored again, and then made an assist, in the first 3 times he touched the ball. The game ended 6-0 with Gali scoring 5. He got Man of the Match.

Poland, at the top of their group, made it to the next round.

Where they had to face...

Senegal.

Poland opened the scoring when Gali shot one from 25 yards on the 23rd minute. Poland then scored on the 24th minute with a brilliant cross from none other than Gali. On the 32nd minute Gali broke through and made it 3-0. Gali assisted the 4-0 on the 72nd minute. On the 75th he headed one in from 11 yards. On the 84th he smashed a rocket into the top left corner. 6-0 and his fourth. The game ended and Poland were on fire. They knew they'd face either Argentina or Spain in the quarter-final.

And, if any of you reading this actually watch the world cup(Ha Ha) we know they ended up facing Spain, who beat Argentina 2-0.

So the quarter finals were France vs. Germany, with France beating Italy 2-1 on an absolute football duel, Brazil vs. Netherlands, Spain vs. Poland and Czech Republic vs. Norway.

The first of the games, and perhaps the most dramatic, was Poland and Spain.

Spain opened the scoring on the 7th minute and Gali equalised on the 14th. Gali scored again on the 26th from a header off a corner. 2-1. 3-1 off another Gali header in the 38th. His third header of the game on the 50th. 4-1 Poland. We saw Poland absolutely dominating here on a shocker of a game. His fourth header(all four off corners) was put in to make it 5-1. Then his fifth header, also from a corner. 6-1. That just did the game with it ending 6-1, all of Poland's goals from the young star striker.

And Poland were up against the Netherlands.

Now we were pretty sure that this one was Poland's now, with all the goals coming out of that one player.

With France beating the Czechs 2-0 in the Semi-Finals we knew who one finalist was.

Poland took the lead with a free kick<not from me > on the 15th minute. They increased the lead from a good play to 2-0. Gali then scored a free kick from 27 yards out on the 26th minute. 3-0. This had to be Poland's. From the wing he took a long shot 27 yards out. 4-0 and his second of the match. He volleyed one in from 25 yards for his hat trick on the 52th minute and made it 5-0. On the 57th Netherlands made it 1-5. Gali scored another volley on the 57th. 1-6. Gali scored his fifth on the 85th minute. 1-7. That did it. They were in the final.

France took the lead 1-0 on the 23rd minute. Gali equalized on the 50th minute with a header. France took the lead again on the 56th and made it 2-1. France increased it to 3-1 on the 75th minute.

And Poland was second best.

Despite Gali's 21 goals, the gold medal is going to have to wait for Poland. A spectacular World Cup filled with Action, we're still watching this player slowly become the best scorer in the world.

Harry Winter, FourFourTwo Magazine.

[Nando]

Poland... I'm from Portugal and I fell your pain (Euro '04)

[Master Chief123]

A Winner



Alex Gali's still leading Bielsko-Biala, though not as many goals in the Ekstraklasa, his scoring record is phenomenal so far in the beginning playing 11 games and scoring 22 goals. Bielsko-Biala are at the top ahead by 2 points, and Alex is still shining.

Some brilliant performance he showed when Slovenia was hosting Poland. Poland was under heavy attack until Gali's perfect chance came to take the lead. 1-0. Gali assisted for 2-0 but Slovenia came back to 2-2. On the 86th minute is when he really shined for perhaps one of the finest goals in Polish history.

Gali slide tackled the Slovenian player and got it 60 yards from goal. He dribbled past one defender, then three, then another, then two, then another three, then four more before breaking onto the one on one with the keeper and hitting it in to make it 3-2.

Commentators had been quoted as saying one of the finest dribblers they've seen. Comparisons with some saying the scoring of Lato and the natural ability of Boniek were shining through, some comparing him to Lubanski who unfortunately lost much of his natural ability through breaking his leg.

He also scored a hat trick, including two in extra time, to end the game against Amica Wronki 4-3 to send Bielsko-Biala into the final of the Polish Cup and this time he was craving this win.

After this his scoring record increased. He was showing the world he was ready. Prevously he had beein scoring two goals a game on average but it increased after that, twice scoring 5 goals in one game. English clubs were getting ready to buy him - it was thought the Ekstraklasa was theirs and he'd be leaving after this. They did win the Ekstraklasa, but then came the cup final against Wisla Krakow.

Gali headed forward a pass which was played to another Bielsko-Biala player to open the score in the 16th minute. 0-1 to Biala. A cross from a free kick made it 0-2. A header from Gali which was passed back to him 10 yards from goal which he smashed in from 10 yards made it 0-3 on the 41st minute. His second came from a corner which he headed in on the 55th. The game ended 0-5. Gali didn't feel second best.

He felt on the top.

After this brilliant match we got an interview from him.

FourFourTwo : So Alex, you played brilliantly. You're on the top of Poland right now. What do you have to say to help the young ones?

Alex Gali : You believe it can happen, believe in yourself, and it will. We kind of let it slip in the WC Final and expected us to win without having to try hard. France is obviously a spectacular team. That's what happens.

FFT : So, you're leaving the club after this we hear?

AG : ... you hear wrong. I'd like to stay here a little longer to grow. I love this team. I love the fans and I love how we play here. I'm not leaving, perhaps I may in the winter transfer period.

FFT : Thank you Alex and congrats.

AG : Thank you.

With 31 games and 74 goals this season it's another wonderful year for this striker. He also helped Poland come back at San Marino 5-2 scoring all 5.

Henry Winter, FourFourTwo

[Nando]

FourFourTwo always makes excellent interviews with excellent players.

Keep on!

[Master Chief123]

The young...Chelsea star??

Gali's start to the season was brilliant playing 21 games and 66 goals by the time January came around. When he was over serving his national team who was hosting Slovenia, he picked up an injury.

Again.

He'd be out for 6 weeks the physio said. He thought this would be a good opportunity to break the news to the fans.

He requested a transfer on the 5th of January. This came as a shock to some fans but the others saw it coming - he has to become a superb world famous player and he'd have to do it away. The fans still loved him and he apologised. We got a talk in with him and this is what he said...

"I love this team so much and I love the fans but it is my time to leave. My decision is not in regard of anybody on the team or any of the fans but my own decision and my manager, team and fans are looking to support me. Athletic Bilbao have shown an interest giving me multiple requests earlier in the year and late last year, but I said no. I'm looking to become succesful in England. I just would like to say this is the team I would love to come back to before retirement and finish my career here. Thank you."

His comments were emotional and it seemed hard for him to say.

Newcastle made an offer which he declined. Racing Santander made one and he said no. So did Norwich which was no. Sunderland? No.

Then came his offer. The striker joined Chelsea for $20,640,000, at the time in second, to help the pursuit for first place.

His first game would have been a Sheffield visit but he was out. Chelsea tied 1-1. Chelsea then beat Spurs 3-1. His last game out would be the 2-2 draw at Southhampton.

Chelsea were at home to Wolverhampton and he made a good impression. Chelsea took the lead 1-0 off a corner. 2-0 off a close shot. 3-0 off Gali's header into the net. That did the game. 3-0 and he got man of the match.

Gali's next two games he scored alot(two at Newcastle to win 3-2 and four on Middlesbrough) and Chelsea's big game came. Chelsea was 3 points behind Manchester United since Manchester tied their last game and this was the chance for Chelsea to come back. Chelsea lead 1-0 on the 16th. 2-0 on the 30th. 2-1 on the 60th and a yellow card for Gali. Gali assisted to make it 3-1. That's the way the game ended and Chelsea were ahead of Manchested by goals.

Then came his heartbreaking injury which the Physio says means he'll miss 11 matches, which came at Liverpool which Chelsea lost 1-0.

Chelsea also lost at home to Fulham which put them two points behind Manchester United for the end of the season.

Gali commented on this by saying

"This is not a lovely start for me *laughs.* I get injured come back and get injured again, while having to settle for second place again? It's sort of sad."

While Gali'll be back next season there's questions on if he'll have the same form and if he'll last in the Premiership.

Harry Winter, FourFourTwo

[Soha]

hehe, nice jump mate

[Master Chief123]

All Glory


The player's on fire. If you know football then you'd know how he's playing.

Gali's long term injury also meant he'd miss the 2008 Euro cup. Poland's first game against Germany losing 2-0 meant they were out. Netherlands won the Euro.

Gali came back at the start of the season scoring 4 goals and made a play for two others.

A tough game at Manchester United near the beginning of the season and a surprise happened. Gali was selected for captain. He couldn't believe it. It turns out, too, he got the match winner to win 1-0. He was selected for captain for Chelsea's visit to Maccabi Tel-Aviv which Chelsea won 1-9 with Gali scoring 6. That was his 13th in 4 games.

He also scored 3 in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Liverpool, 5 in Chelsea's 6-1 win over Everton, and many beautiful performances while captain had many struck that he'd be the full clun captain after that. The club seemed to love him and his character, and he became close friends. We've even seen him hang out with Radzinski of Fulham once or twice at the club, with some speculation that he'd be leaving to Fulham. He denied this immediately.


On the 20th of September, 2008, he sustained an injury but not before managing to score a hat-trick in 25 minutes. A neck injury left him out for two weeks.

AGAIN.

By the time he was finished, a few more games, and Chelsea were at home to Tel-Aviv. He got injured pretty badly.

He'd be out for 11 games...
When he was away, Chelsea lost 2-1 to Bolton in the first round of the FA Cup.

He came back on December 6th just in time for Chelsea's home game at Watford. He took the lead with an amazing goal from a bicycle kick. Chelsea won 5-1 with Gali scoring 4 and making one assist.
The next game, Chelsea was home to Manchester United. Gali took the lead on the 8th. Manchester equalized on the 20th. Chelsea took the lead again on the 44th. Gali made it 3-1 on the 60th, and 4-1 on the 73rd, and 5-1 on the 89th, which ended the game.

January was approaching and his transfer speculation would be answered then.

Chelsea was at home to second place Everton, Gali was yellow carded on the 16th and Everton took the lead. Another foul by him made it 2-0 to Everton. Gali made it 2-1 with a brilliant 30 yard volley, and 2-2 from a strike 25 yards out. Everton made it 3-2 on the 52nd. 3-3 from a solo run by Gali. 4-3 to Chelsea on the 72nd. Gali makes it 5-3, and makes it 6-3 to end the game. Performances like this and with him being at a spectacular club, what's there to leave for? Norwich City also made an offer for him on the 18th of December but he declined. Ironically, Chelsea's next game would be at Norwich, which Chelsea won 8-0 and Gali scored 7 and made one assist, his career record.

On the 22nd of December, Portsmouth made an offer that he declined, and even more ironically, Chelsea's next game was against Portsmouth. Gali made the first assist but unfortunately AGAIN GOT INJURED for three games. Chelsea won 2-1. That would mean Gali would miss his second Poland fixture in a row, at Norway, which Poland lost 1-0. He'd also miss the first fixture of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at home to Arsenal. Chelsea won 1-0. Away to Aston Villa and Chelsea lost 3-0, a season shock. Gali came back for the second leg of the Arsenal-Chelsea game, with Chelsea taking the 0-2 lead, and Arsenal coming back for the lead 3-2, and Gali scoring two more and assisting to make it 3-5, 3-6 on aggregate with Chelsea making it through.

January went through and finished with Gali not leaving the club, and by then having 23 games and 87 goals.

On the fourth of February Chelsea had a meeting for the UEFA Champions League at Lazio, winning 4-1.

He then scored another career record of 9 goals in the Manchester City game with Chelsea winning 9-0. Chelsea made it through for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League beating Lazio 9-1 on aggregate.

The semi-finals were against Manchester United for one huge derby. Chelsea won 5-0 with Gali scoring two and setting up two.

The second leg was in Chelsea's favour and Manchester would have to work unbelievably hard to get through. They tried and took the 2-0 lead 20 minutes in but Chelsea came back for 6-2, Gali scoring 4 and making one.

They'd be facing Juventus in the final.

The final game of the regular season came up with Chelsea visiting Sheffield. Second place Manchester United and third place Everton were fighting hard at this point, 83 and 82 points respectively. Chelsea ended up winning 7-0, Gali scoring 4 and making the rest, and since Manchester tied Charlton 1-1, Everton's win put them in second place for the end of the premiership season.

Gali wasn't taking second place ever again, and when the Juventus game came he was ready.

Gali took the lead on the 8th minute from a shot from 29 yards. 1-0 Chelsea. Juventus was attacking hard but Chelsea defended well, until finally the equalizer came on the 27th. Gali got a good chance on the 35th and used it to make it 2-1 Chelsea. A header from Chelsea made it 3-1. Juventus scored on the 57th for 3-2, and on the 65th Chelsea made it 4-2. Gali got a lofted pass and made his hat trick from a volley on the edge of the penalty area. He made it 6-2 on the 72nd, and 7-2 on the 78th, and the UEFA was Chelsea's this season.

Before the end of the season he was called up for Poland vs. Cyprus. He took the lead on the 2nd, and Poland made it 2-0 on the 22nd. Gali made it 3-0 on the 46th, and 4-0 on the 54th. Cyprus grabbed a consolation for 4-1, which ended it.

It was almost all glory for Chelsea besides their loss in the FA Cup earlier. Sheffield ended up winning it, beating Tottenham 2-1 in the final.

Gali ended the season with a spectacular 35 games and 135 goals, setting up 19.

Harry Winter, FourFourTwo

[Nando]

It looks like it was a spectacular season. It is a shame all of the injuries you had.