Sajfutdinow: It Was a Great Spectacle. We Showed the Fans Good Speedway (Interview)

The bonus point slipped away from KS APATORA Toruń’s team in the clash with KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Czestochowa. Despite this, the moods in Toruń are good. ‘We are happy with every win,’ said Emil Sajfutdinow.

Jakub Keller (ekstraliga.pl): After your victory against the team from Czestochowa, the table has become tight. Are you not afraid that the bonus point, which was at arm’s reach, might decide the seeding before the play-off phase?

Emil Sajfutdinow (KS APATOR Toruń): In these situations, you always look for those points that were closest. Nevertheless, you must be happy with the two points awarded for wins in PGE Ekstraliga matches. And we just grabbed those.

So you are fully satisfied?

It’s hard not to be. We are getting better and better. And wins always bring joy. No matter in what dimension.

The match probably went according to your plan?

That’s sports. Everyone wants to win here because the rivals also very much need points. We created a great spectacle for the fans. We showed good speedway. And that’s probably the most important thing.

Was the track allowing overtaking?

Yes. There were a lot of paths. Overtaking could be done practically across the entire width of the track. There was space to build up speed.

But it seems you weren’t starting well from what I observed?

That’s true, but it was due to the layout of the starting positions. It was hard for me to start from the fourth position, where there was a lot of loose material.

So the start could have been prepared better?

One always wishes for better. But I’m not complaining. It was fine.

You’ve recently had equipment issues. But that’s probably history now?

It seems so. There is no point in looking at the past. We need to move forward.

But apparently, you’ve been working a lot on the equipment lately.

I always work hard. Recently, we’ve spent a lot of time with the guys searching for optimal solutions. And the worst thing is that sometimes hard work yields positive results, and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s why I am happy that it progressed for me.

Will there be a lot of work before the next matches too? Or have you already found what you were looking for?

We keep working all the time. It’s not like if a match goes well, we put our hands up and sit. Regardless of the results, we will be trying many settings.

And you have two tough matches ahead.

And I hope, fierce battles in the play-off phase (laughs).

But before that happens, you have, among others, the derby match against ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz. Will this match have an added twist?

I personally don’t look at it that way. We approach each match the same way. With faith in victory. And it will be the same this time.

Jakub Keller