Marcel Kowolik: This season is amazing (interview)

BETARD SPARTA ended their home winning streak. In the first match of the PGE Ekstraliga championship, the Wrocław team lost to ORLEN OIL MOTOR 43:47. After a fierce battle, it is the team from Lublin that is closer to gold and they’ll defend their lead in the rematch.

The performance of Wrocław’s junior team member – Marcel Kowolik – can be positively evaluated. In his debut season in the PGE Ekstraliga, he shows that he must be reckoned with and fought for every point on the track. In an interview for ekstraliga.pl, he talked about the final match and summarized his achievements in the year 2024.

Magdalena Świerzgała (ekstraliga.pl): First defeat on the home track. Did you expect such a scenario?

Marcel Kowolik (BETARD SPARTA Wrocław): We considered every possible scenario. We definitely hoped to win in Wrocław. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out; the opponent was stronger. The loss is not huge – 4 points can be made up.

In the 8th race, you took off from the tape incredibly well, leaving behind big names like Lindgren and Janowski. Are you happy with a victory over such titled rivals?

I did what I was supposed to do. I felt I could fight for a good position. I won’t hide, it’s nice to have such big names behind you.

During the match with ORLEN OIL MOTOR you lined up at the tape five times.

I appreciate that I had the chance to start so many times in the match. The number of points I scored is not satisfactory. It could have been better, but it’s not bad.

In Ostrów Wielkopolski, you won the Junior Polish Team Championship, big congratulations.

Even before the final, the goal was one – we were going there for gold. We are very happy with this achievement. I don’t remember the last time we managed that in Wrocław.

Next Tuesday (01.10), another fight in the final. This time you will compete with ENEA STAL Gorzów in the U24 Ekstraliga. The loss from the first match in Gorzów is only 2 points…

We will be riding on our home track, which we know well and are well prepared for. We will give our all to win again this season and stand on the highest podium. We are glad that this final will be broadcast on television.

Junior Polish Team Champion, fighting to win the U24 Ekstraliga, and the Polish Championship in the PGE Ekstraliga – you must admit that this debut season is full of successes. Did you expect such achievements?

This season is amazing. I would never have expected that at the age of 16 I would be where I am. We still have two important days ahead and we will celebrate the achievements of 2024 together. Keep your fingers crossed!

Magdalena Świerzgała