PGE Ekstraliga Gala: “Szczakiele” Laureates Received Their Statues

In Warsaw, at the Double Tree by Hilton, the jubilee, tenth PGE Ekstraliga Gala took place. During the ceremonial season summary, prestigious awards – “Szczakiele” were handed out.

This year’s winner of the “Golden Szczakiel” was a respected coach and former player of KS APATOR from the Toruń community, Jan Ząbik. The laureate, who received the award from the former Polish national team coach – Marek Cieślak, was visibly touched:

– I would like to thank very much for this Szczakiel because we often rode together with Marek Cieślak to competitions. I have always admired him for our shared passion for cycling – said this year’s laureate of the “Golden Szczakiel” on Canal+.

– I would like to thank all the fans of this sport, which is truly spectacular. I started my adventure with this sport in 1964 and haven’t stopped since – added the current coach of junior speedway riders of KS Toruń.

The award in the category of U24 Ekstraliga Victor was received on behalf of the players of BECKHOFF SPARTA Wrocław by the president of the Lower Silesian club Andrzej Rusko:

– Sport favors winners, so don’t be surprised that on Monday I wasn’t in the mood for laughter. Our team won in the U24 Ekstraliga competition and the Team Junior Polish Championships. Let’s keep it up – said the president of BETARD SPARTA Wrocław on Canal+.

The award for Surprise of the Season was received from footballer – Sebastian Mila by Benjamin Cook. The Australian received the award for winning a poll voted by fans:

– It’s fantastic to receive an award like this. Everything happened very fast this season, and my team and I took on the challenge without much hesitation. My dream was to race in Poland, and it was great to crown this debut with a good result, which was also quite a surprise for me – commented the foreigner from FOGO UNII Leszno.

The winner in the Best Junior of the Season category was Wiktor Przyjemski. The young player from ORLEN OIL MOTORU Lublin was filled with emotion while receiving the award:

– I am mega happy to be here. My small dream of standing in this place has just come true. Despite some equipment issues, I also managed to win the title of Junior World Champion. I want to thank my team, sponsors, and fans. I am extremely happy and stressed – said the Individual Junior World Champion, who also received the statue in the RED BULL Junior Aces category.

The race of the season turned out to be the 4th heat of the Lubuski Derby between NOVYHOTEL FALUBAZ Zielona Góra and EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów. The hero of this race was Anders Thomsen, who made a series of amazing moves, coming from last to first position. Called to the stage, he said:

– I remember that race as if it were yesterday. I missed the start and didn’t quite feel what was happening on the track, but I managed to overtake two riders. When I knew that only Jarosław Hampel was ahead of me, I felt a great speed and told myself I must do it! – said the smiling Dane while receiving the award by the choice of CANAL+ speedway editorial.

The Best Foreign Rider of the Season was Robert Lambert.

– I achieved more than I could expect. With KS APATOR Toruń, I aimed for gold, but bronze is also fine. We’ll push to be the best next season. Thank you very much to everyone who supported me – said the Brit.

The laureate in the category of Best Coach/Manager of the Season was Robert Kościecha, who received the “Szczakiel” from the president of PGE Ekstraliga – Wojciech Stępniewski:

– To receive such an award after a debut season as a coach in PGE Ekstraliga is a great honor for me. It was a great season for ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz. I managed to unify this team, and that’s a huge success. Thank you very much to everyone who voted for me – said the coach of ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz on Canal+.

The Best Polish Rider of the Season as voted by fans was Bartosz Zmarzlik. The Individual World Champion commented on his wins in the “Szczakiele 2024” poll:

– It’s nice to be here again, especially after such a challenging season for me. I had ups and downs, but ultimately it was a successful season for me. Believe me, it’s very difficult to reach the top, but it’s much harder to stay there – summed up the five-time Individual World Champion.

The “Szczakiel” award for Best Team of the Season, handed by the president of the Polish Motor Union – Michał Sikora, went to the ORLEN OIL MOTORU Lublin team. The gold medalists of the PGE Ekstraliga 2024 entered the stage as a group, where the president of the Lublin club Marek Kępa spoke:

– Despite our club’s three championship titles, it was only today that I managed to attend the PGE Ekstraliga Gala and receive the statue for Best Team of the Season. I would like to thank coaches, players, club staff, and above all, our loyal fans – concluded the president of the 2024 Team Polish Championship gold medalists.