Efthymios Koulouris, the Greek striker for Pogoń Szczecin, delivered a stunning performance on February 22, 2025, leading his team to a resounding 4-0 victory over Widzew Łódź. By netting a hat-trick and providing one assist, Koulouris not only showcased his scoring prowess but also solidified his position as the top scorer of the PKO Ekstraklasa with 15 goals this season.
The match, held at Widzew Łódź's home ground, marked Pogoń's continued momentum following the winter break. They entered the game as one of the league's top teams, having won every match since resuming play. Widzew, on the other hand, sought to turn around their fortunes after struggling early in the new year.
Right from the beginning, it was evident which team was in form. Pogoń quickly took control of the match, with Rafał Kurzawa scoring early on after capitalizing on a defensive error from Widzew's Fran Alvarez. This set the tone for the game, as Widzew appeared frazzled and struggled to formulate coherent attacking plays.
Pogoń doubled their lead when Koulouris converted a penalty kick awarded for a handball by Widzew's Luis Silva. The Greek striker’s clinical finishing left the opponents reeling, and he later assisted Kamil Grosicki's goal to extend the lead to 3-0 before scoring his own again, bringing the tally to 4-0.
Widzew did have their moments, with Nigerian forward Hilary Gong nearly equalizing early on. His shot was turned away by Pogoń goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru, and later, he struck the post during another chance. The few bright spots for Widzew fans came from the return of captain Bartłomiej Pawłowski, who had been sidelined for several months due to injury.
Koulouris, who was already known as one of the top scorers going for the match with 12 goals, has now drawn clear of his closest rivals. His performance was something his teammates celebrated; Grosicki lauded the Greek striker post-match, saying, “I’m happy to have such a teammate.” The victory keeps Pogoń Szczecin not just on track for league success but gives them strong momentum as they prepare for the upcoming cup and league matches.
Following the match, the top scorer chart was updated, placing Koulouris at the forefront with 15 goals. Jesus Imaz (Jagiellonia Białystok), Mikael Ishak (Lech Poznań), and Benjamin Kallman (Cracovia) are now trailing behind with 12 goals each, underscoring Koulouris's significant lead. With matches against Piasta Gliwice and Lech Poznań approaching, Koulouris's and Pogoń's focus will undoubtedly be on extending their successful streak.