Jacek Kannenberg summarizes the season for #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u Poznań: There remains a certain feeling of unfulfillment

The year 2024 for #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u Poznań was full of ups and downs. A team doomed for relegation first advanced from fifth place to the play-off phase and after winning the quarter-final two-legged match with the later finalist, was eliminated in the semi-final by INNPRO ROW Rybnik – the winner of the tournament.

In a conversation with us, Jacek Kannenberg – manager of #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u – summarizes and assesses the season performed by speedway riders from the capital of Greater Poland.

Marcin Rusewicz (ekstraliga.pl): What was this season like for you at PSz? Did you sometimes feel like you were on a rollercoaster?

Jacek Kannenberg (manager of #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u Poznań): Indeed, the start of the season, especially the home match with Rybnik, wasn’t a signal that something was wrong, but the match with Gdańsk did raise a warning flag for us, and we managed to pull ourselves together fairly quickly, because later we had an away match in Łódź, which we won, then there was an even worse day in Krosno, but from June everything got back on track, and we finished the season in fourth place. From the perspective of what happened in the play-offs, at least in my perception, there remains a certain feeling of unfulfillment.

At what point in the season did you realize you would fight for more than just maintaining your position?

I think a turning point was the victory in Ostrów. While the wins against Bydgoszcz and Rzeszów also pleased us, they were not very pronounced victories. The away match with ARGED MALESA Ostrów, however, showed that there was great potential in our team. I think June was a key period for us. Later, we won an important match with Łódź, then the next day a victory in Gdańsk, and we collected enough points that it was almost certain we would play in the play-offs.

Which player turned out to be the key, leading #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz to success? I’d say for most of the season Ryan Douglas carried the results, and towards the end, he was replaced by Oleksandr Loktayev…

When it comes to Oleksandr Loktayev, from the match with Krosno at home to the end of the season, he had an average of about 2.700 points per race, so once he hit the right level, he rode like a true leader. In this season, I would highlight the entire team, as we lost together and won together. In the second part of the season, Mathias Nielsen also reached a high level and brought about ten “points” for us in each match. Certainly, over the entire year, Ryan Douglas presented the highest form, undoubtedly. There was also Kacper Grzelak, who after the regular season was probably the best junior in the league, so I think the whole team worked hard for this success and everyone contributed their part.

As is typical in the transfer period, someone left, someone came. Are you satisfied with the squad you have? Is the #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u Poznań squad already closed?

The squad is essentially closed. Some minor adjustments might still happen, but the core of the team is already established. I am convinced this team will bring much joy to the fans of #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz-u Poznań next season. It’s hard to assess how we will present ourselves in the first few matches, but I think on paper we have a very interesting lineup and we will definitely fight to repeat this year’s result or even aim for more.

Another person joined the club, with whom you will work closely, I mean coach Eryk Jóźwiak. Do you like this change?

That was a board decision, which I had no influence over, so whether I like it or not doesn’t really matter. Due to certain issues, such as the opening of the transfer window, we are in contact. I think our cooperation will be fine and hope it will continue well during the season.

Was there consideration for your appointment as the sole coach/manager when the decision was made for Adam Skórnicki not to continue working at the club?

That would have been rather difficult because currently, I don’t have the sports instructor qualification for speedway, so even for regulatory reasons, it would be impossible. For me, it would also mean major changes in my personal life, so there was no such topic.

Were there offers from other clubs?

There weren’t any concrete offers. Last year there were some inquiries, but my club affiliation was already settled. I also wasn’t planning on making changes and wasn’t sending out any signals to other clubs that I was interested.

Back to Poznań, does the club have a plan for the preparation period, or is everything still ahead of us?

There is already a plan. However, now the most important period awaits us, meaning the transfer window and preparing all the documents, finalizing contracts, and organizing a few things with the club. In the spring, we are planning to run a kind of training camp and more practice sessions so that the riders can get used to our track. As for practice matches, we are waiting for both the PGE Ekstraliga and METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga rosters to see how the licensing process concludes. Besides, we would like to organize a preparatory and integrative camp to make sure the players get to know each other better along with the entire staff.

What’s the team’s goal for the 2025 season? Last year it was survival, and it ended in the semi-final. What is #ORZECHOWAOSADA PSz Poznań aiming for now?

The minimum goal is to advance to the top four, as we did this year, where we made a few surprises. I would generally like us to at least repeat the 2024 season, but time will tell, and I hope we can fight for even more.

Marcin Rusewicz