Cezary Polak: The Ekstraklasa Is a Step Towards Bigger Dreams - Like Playing for the National Team

Cezary, do you believe in what’s happening to you right now?
— I do believe it, as this has been my goal for over a year now. I wanted to reach the Ekstraklasa and find my place in it. I’m happy to be part of a team that motivates me to keep working hard. It really feels like a dream come true.

You recently played against Germany and ended with a “victorious draw.” How would you sum up the match?
— We achieved the goal set by coach Adam Majewski. We managed to draw and qualify for the European Youth Championships, which gives us great satisfaction. The match was thrilling!

What were the moments like after the match?
— We had a shared dinner, celebrated the result, and then everyone went back to their clubs. There wasn’t much time to celebrate, as training waits for no one.

Did you sleep normally after returning?
— Yes, I got back to Białystok late, and we had roll call in the morning, so I went straight to bed. Sometimes you just have to go on autopilot.

Jagiellonia Białystok. Did you expect to get a chance so soon?
— Everyone wants to play, so I was ready, but I wasn’t overly focused on waiting for it to happen. I knew it would come sooner or later.

You debuted against Legia Warsaw…
— Yes, during the warm-up, I found out that Moutinho had felt something in his leg. It was a stressful moment, but at the beginning of the match, I managed to calm my nerves.

Were you nervous?
— Yes, that’s natural, but after a few plays, I was fine. I had to motivate myself quickly and switch my focus from the bench to the field.

How would you rate your debut?
— My debut wasn’t the dream start I had in mind. If it hadn’t been for the offside error, it would have been a really good match. I lost focus for a moment, which cost us a goal. It was a matter of centimeters, and the situation was checked on VAR for a while. It taught me to never switch off, not even for a second.

And a few days later, you had a match against Zagłębie Lubin…
— That’s a different story. I started in the first eleven. I was mentally prepared and felt that we played very well. I felt like I was on the same level as the team.

Is playing in the Ekstraklasa one of little Czarek’s dreams?
— Yes, it’s one of my goals. The Ekstraklasa is a step towards even bigger dreams, like playing for the national team. I always set ambitious goals for myself. Playing with the eagle on my chest is my dream. Playing well at the highest level in the country is the way to make that dream a reality.

What does your daily routine in Białystok look like? What do you do when you arrive at the club?
— It’s just like it was in Kołobrzeg during the first round under coach Bartoszek, only at a higher intensity. Training, analysis, additional workouts, and recovery, which the coaching staff pays a lot of attention to. The atmosphere is great, and we’re all working towards a common goal.

Do you feel the difference between a first-league club and the Ekstraklasa?
— I came from Kotwica Kołobrzeg, which you can read about online, to the Polish champion, which is excellently organized on a European level, thanks to the director and coach. The difference is huge in terms of organization and player management. In the first round of the second league at Kotwica, we had a taste of professionalism. Here, professionalism is the foundation. Without it, I doubt this level of achievement would be possible. On the field, it’s similar, only everything happens twice as fast. When I watch first or second-league matches and then ours, it feels like those games are playing at 0.75x speed.

How does the atmosphere around the highest league feel?
— The Ekstraklasa is packaged really well. Fan interest is higher than you might think. The media, journalists, and experts are all top-notch.

Where did you settle down?
— I rented an apartment in a quiet neighborhood. I like having my own space where I can relax after training.

How far are you from the training ground and stadium?
— Just a few minutes by car. The location is really great. Everything is close by.

What’s life like in Białystok?
— It’s a great city with very friendly people. I haven’t had any negative experiences so far. People often stop me to chat, and the conversations are always pleasant.

Have any of your loved ones attended the matches against Legia, Zagłębie, or Korona?
— Yes, there’s always someone close. At every match, there’s someone from my family or friends. It gives me extra motivation.

The Conference League – two matches, two wins. Did you expect this?
— In Copenhagen, certainly not, but as they say, you shouldn’t count three points before the game, and I think the Danes understand that now. We have two wins, and it’s fantastic.

Do you know you need to stay sharp with so many games to play?
— The competition is high, but so is the number of matches. I’m happy for every minute I play because I want to be on the field as much as possible, but I know it takes time and work.

Since the transfer, have you been back to your hometown?
— I’ve been there twice, but only briefly. I had a few things to take care of at the office, so I arrived in the evening and left the next morning. There isn’t much time for longer visits.

And what about being recognized? Do people stop you on the street?
— As I said before, I’ve had many pleasant encounters in the city and on public transport. I also go to reserve or academy matches, where fans come up and ask for photos. It’s always nice.

Ekstraklasa. The next step? What are your dreams?
— My dream is to play a match for the national team. The trust that coach Adam Majewski has in me on the U-21 squad, calling me up from a second-league club, is exceptional. I dream of playing with the eagle on my chest. Right now, I’m working towards making the list for the European Championships, which will be held next year in Slovakia.

Author: Mateusz Połynka
Source: Nowy Głos Garwolina

Photo courtesy of: jagiellonia.pl