Robert Kościecha: When I gave the briefing, I said I wanted 46 points (interview)

ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz defeated EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów on their home track, although the initial phase of the competition definitely belonged to Stanisław Chomski’s team. After the match, in a conversation for ekstraliga.pl, Grudziądz’s coach, Robert Kościecha, did not hide his satisfaction and explained how the hosts’ situation looked in this match.

Kamil Szyszkowski (ekstraliga.pl): A speedway comeback – that’s probably how you can describe your team’s performance in this match.

Robert Kościecha (coach of ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz): It’s hard to say how to describe it. Probably no one expected that after the first series it would be -10. Later, points were recovered scrupulously, which reminded me a bit of the match with KS APATOR, where after the 10th race we were also 5 points behind. This match kind of repeated itself. I am very happy with the win in this match. The team showed great character. Great praise to all the riders.

The start of the match slipped away from you, what caused that?

EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów is an excellent team. I was very afraid of this match. They have been winning here for several years. However, I knew we had a strong team. The riders arrived well-prepared, Oskar Paluch had a great performance, which is why the riders from Gorzów got away from us at the beginning.

Kevin Małkiewicz definitely deserved praise, holding off Martin Vaculik in one of the races.

It’s a pity about the youth race, where he left too much space and Oskar Paluch pushed him out. Later, he got in each other’s way with Kacper Łobodziński a bit. However, I am happy with the whole team and won’t single out individual riders.

Kacper Łobodziński seems to be going through a small crisis, with weaker results lately in the U24 Ekstraliga and PGE Ekstraliga.

He has some minor problems. However, he was at the training on Thursday, worked hard, and now it was quite good. Maybe it’s also a bit of fatigue. I think Kacper will come back quickly and start performing well again.

Before the match, it was heard that you wanted 46 points in this match. It was also heard that the coach gets what he wants. It seems this happened again.

When I gave the briefing, I told the guys that I would like to have as many points as Max Fricke’s individual number, which is 46. However, the guys joked that it’s too little. I told them: “no problem, it can be 55, then it’s up to the president to pay” (laughs). Seriously, I said this number would suit me very well and we made it.

You will probably approach the next home match with a bit less pressure.

I don’t look at who we are racing against… whether it’s FOGO UNIA or someone else. Every match here is at the highest intensity. On Sunday, we are going to Toruń, we will prepare for that match first. We also have to look at other teams.

Your best reaction in this match was probably the sense of relief after the 14th race and great joy.

I’ve been here for 7 years and have really connected with this club. We have great management. I am very happy about that. I have a team manager, Rafał Wojciechowski, who helps me a lot. Many people work to make sure we are as well-prepared as possible. I would like to thank them for that. The win is also their merit.

It seems this adventure with the first team will not last just one year but many years.

I don’t want to declare anything, it’s the president’s decision whether he likes my work or not. I think there is still time to evaluate it. I am happy that I took over this team. It is more mentally challenging, but I think others should judge whether my work is positive or not.

You have a match in Toruń ahead. This could be a special moment for you. What’s your plan for the derby match at Motoarena?

It’s not special. It is known that I live near Toruń, but those times are over. I know Motoarena a bit, and I have some friends there, but I am preparing for this match professionally, like any other. There are chances, we have to see what “lion’s claw” the guys have. They are great riders, and you can see that. This is sports, anything can happen. We have a plan ready for this match. On Sunday we will continue to fight.

Kamil Szyszkowski