Latvian international Alvis Jaunzems officially kicked off his new chapter in Poland today, making his official debut for Lechia Gdańsk in the opening round of the Ekstraklasa season. The 26-year-old defender started the match and played the full 90 minutes, but his side suffered a 1–2 defeat away to Górnik Zabrze.
Jaunzems, who spent the past one and a half seasons with fellow Polish top-flight club Stal Mielec, slotted into his familiar role on the right flank for Lechia, wearing shirt number 16.
The match didn’t start the way Lechia had hoped, as Górnik took a first-half lead. It was 23-year-old Polish forward Kamil Lukoszek who broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, putting the hosts ahead.
Górnik doubled their advantage in the second half through a familiar face — former Lechia midfielder Jarosław Kubicki found the net, making it 2–0 and leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.
Lechia did manage to create some late drama. In the 88th minute, former Valmiera FC player and Jaunzems’ former teammate in Valmiera Rifet Kapić converted a penalty to bring the score to 2–1. Despite the late push, Lechia couldn’t find the equalizer.
It was a tough start to the season for Lechia Gdańsk and Jaunzems, who completed the full match on his debut. The team will look to bounce back in Round 2, where they’ll host Lech Poznań at home next Saturday.
