Cezary Polak: It's an incredible feeling, chills, and yet another dream come true...

How does it feel to score a goal with the eagle on your chest?

- It's an incredible feeling, chills, and another dream come true. This is my first goal for the national team, and I hope it's not the last. I'm pleased that I scored the opening goal of the match. The goal gave us momentum. After that, we felt more confident and dominated our opponent. These are extraordinary moments for me. I wish everyone could experience something like this.

Well, let's remember that you're a defensive player...

- Exactly. During set pieces like corners or free kicks, players with my height can go into the penalty area and prove their knack for scoring. The style doesn't matter. What's important is that the goal was scored correctly.

But you probably didn't have a prepared celebration?

- I admit that I didn't have a planned celebration, but I think the improvisation didn't look that bad. People in the stands were chanting my name, so it must have been well-received.

Then more goals followed, and a 4:0 win against Portugal. The result is surprisingly positive!

- Such an outcome against the European vice-champions is impressive. We executed the tactical plan very well. We were well-prepared and hungry for more goals. Portugal didn't pose any particular threat to us in this match.

What happened to the jersey in which you scored the goal?

- Unfortunately, we have to return the equipment. I managed to keep the jersey from my debut match against the Czech Republic. I hope that if we win another match, we might receive jerseys as a gift. But I'm not sure about that. It's a pity because such a jersey would look great hanging on my home walls.

The match was in Łomża. Who among your loved ones was in the stands?

- My dear parents, Elżbieta and Tomasz, were there. They were dressed in white and red colors, full of enthusiasm for cheering. Also there was my manager, Łukasz Siciak, along with his wife Karolina. I also managed to meet with my former coach from Escola, Krzysztof Bakaj. After the match, I talked with everyone and thanked them for coming.

When was the pivotal moment in your football journey? When did you believe that you could play football at a high level?

- It has always been my dream. When I was young, I didn't imagine playing big. Back then, my dream was to play for the senior team of Sęp Żelechów. My dad helped me take the first step, sending me to Warsaw. From there, it was all about hard work and reaping the benefits. Only by pushing forward and having faith in myself did I start to believe that major football was ahead of me.

If you could give advice to the young players of Sęp and from the Garwolin county, what would you say?

- Believe in yourself, no matter what others say or think about your dreams. Dreams are there to be fulfilled. You can't be afraid; you just have to keep pushing forward. Be a good person, and fate will always smile upon you and help in some way. Anything is possible. What counts is the willingness to work hard and make sacrifices.

If you could choose, which club would you want to play for?

- My dream is FC Barcelona, and that's where I'm headed.

When are you returning to Kołobrzeg?

- On Monday after the match with Germany, the training camp in Legnica ended. I headed to Kołobrzeg, traveling almost across the whole of Poland.

Were your parents at the match against Germany?

- Unfortunately, they couldn't make it. It's a very long journey from our family home, but they passionately cheered in front of the TV.

After the goal against Portugal, did your phone blow up?

- Many friends, as well as family members, called, texted, or shared various posts on social media with congratulations, for which I'm very grateful. It always warms my heart when someone notices and appreciates your successes.

When did you give your first autograph?

- When I was playing for Motor Lublin, so quite some time ago. It's very nice and pleasant when people approach and ask for photos or a signature. I always ask myself: me, giving an autograph?

Interviewed by editor Mateusz Połynka, "Twój Głos" weekly, September 2023.
 

8th September 2023, Łomża

Poland – Portugal 4:0 (3:0)

Goals: Cezary Polak 33, Marcel Błachewicz 35, Dominik Marczuk 38, Tomasz Pieńko 47.

Poland: 1. Oliwier Zych – 4. Przemysław Misiak (77, 16. Wiktor Matyjewicz), 5. Bartłomiej Smolarczyk, 3. Cezary Polak (77, 2. Kamil Sochań) – 7. Dominik Marczuk (55, 9. Gabriel Kirejczyk), 6. Antoni Kozubal (77, 15. Mateusz Kowalczyk), 8. Tomasz Neugebauer (56, 10. Jakub Branecki), 20. Iwo Kaczmarski (46, 19. Bartosz Biedrzycki), 21. Tomasz Pieńko (56, 23. Kacper Duda), 17. Marcel Błachewicz (46, 11. Mariusz Fornalczyk) – 14. Jordan Majchrzak (56, 18. Filip Borowski).

Portugal: 1. Diogo Pinto – 2. Goncalo Esteves (46, 15. David Monteiro), 3. Hugo Oliveira, 4. Gabriel Bras, 5. Martim Marques (46, 13. Tiago Parente) – 17. Jose Melro (60, 11. Jorge Meireles), 6. Nuno Felix (82, 16. Yanis Rocha), 10. Diogo Prioste (60, 14. Samuel Justo), 8. Gustavo Sa (82, 18. Marco Cruz), 20. Hugo Felix (71, 7. Lucas Anjos) – 19. Herculano Nabian (60, 9. Jose Rodrigues).

11th September 2023, Legnica

Poland – Germany 1:1 (1:1)

Goals: Tomasz Pieńko 36 – Ben Bobzien 45.

Poland: 12. Jakub Mądrzyk – 4. Przemysław Misiak, 5. Bartłomiej Smolarczyk, 3. Cezary Polak – 7. Dominik Marczuk (62, 15. Mateusz Kowalczyk), 8. Tomasz Neugebauer (46, 11. Mariusz Fornalczyk), 6. Antoni Kozubal (62, 9. Gabriel Kirejczyk), 20. Iwo Kaczmarski (62, 18. Filip Borowski), 21. Tomasz Pieńko (46, 23. Kacper Duda), 17. Marcel Błachewicz (46, 19. Bartosz Biedrzycki) – 14. Jordan Majchrzak (85, 10. Jakub Branecki).

Germany: 1. Mio Backhaus – 22. Nicolas Oliveira (81, 2. Julian Eitschberger), 14. Nnamdi Collins (72, 15. Tim Oermann), 5. Joshua Quarshie, 3. Lukas Ullrich (81, 13. Benedikt Bauer) – 11. Yusuf Kabadayi, 16. Mattes Hansen, 6. Caspar Jander (72, 8. Aljoscha Kemlein), 21. Frans Kratzig (72, 20. Marius Wörl), 7. Justin Diehl (85, 10. Mika Baur) – 17. Ben Bobzien (81, 9. Stefano Marino).