Oskar Fajfer: Hosts better read the track in the second phase of the match

After a very emotional match, ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz defeated EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów 46:44 (12th round of the PGE Ekstraliga). Despite a successful start, the guests failed to maintain the lead in the second phase of the match and succumbed to the hosts. Oskar Fajfer had mixed results, alternating between good and worse races.

– First of all, congratulations to the hosts. They showed resilience, emerging from a real slump. As for us, everyone was losing points. I had problems at the start. Only the last one fully worked out for me and I somewhat broke the bad luck on that fourth lane. We managed to find the perfect setup for that race – said the local rider of EBUT.PL STAL.

Grudziądz, aided by their familiarity with the track at Hallera 4, had a blazing second half of the match, turning the course of the encounter. – From experience, I know that those who train a lot find setups in the next phase of the match and know which direction to go as the track changes. From the beginning to halfway through the competition, the track changed a lot. We reacted poorly, and unfortunately, that’s why ZOOLESZCZ GKM pulled away from us – emphasized Fajfer.

ZOOLESZCZ GKM approached this match very aggressively. Hoping for the coveted playoff spot, they needed to defeat EBUT.PL STAL. The team from Gorzów was not under such pressure due to their relatively comfortable position in the standings.

– ZOOLESZCZ GKM is undoubtedly very strong at home. They’ve beaten some teams by a greater margin than us. There’s definitely some dissatisfaction, especially considering how we started the competition. I’m also embarrassed that we let the result slip, but it happens. Clearly, it’s also a pity about the 14th race and Oskar Paluch’s tape, but we can’t blame him since he performed excellently – admitted the guest rider.

Throughout the season, there have been significant changes in the lineup of the Gorzów EBUT.PL STAL. Oskar Fajfer, originally riding under numbers 10 and 2, started racing under numbers 11 and 3. As the rider himself says, it doesn’t matter to him what number he starts with.

– Honestly, it doesn’t make a difference to me. Whatever number I get, I ride with it; I don’t like to complain. It’s the same during the match when choosing lanes in nominated races. You have to start from every lane and try to win – says Fajfer.

The Gorzów team is very close to securing 2nd place after the regular season of the PGE Ekstraliga. They can secure it after the upcoming match with BETARD SPARTA Wrocław. It’s hard to say who they will face in the quarter-finals. As our interlocutor emphasizes, it doesn’t matter much to him. – We are mainly thinking about the match with BETARD SPARTA, to ‘book’ that 2nd place in the standings. As for the playoff opponent, it doesn’t matter to me who we race. Whoever we face, we’ll compete against them – he concluded.

Wiktor Jarzembiński