Rosinski: Games against Plock mean so much to the fans

“The Holy War” – this is the name which Polish fans gave to the matches of the best two teams in their country. The encounter of Vive Targi Kielce and Wisła Plock, however, for the first time is going to constitute a part of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

It will be a great challenge for both teams, especially since they have played against each other in the domestic league last week. It will be also an opportunity to show the Europe that Polish handball is not “knocking on heaven’s door” anymore. It has already opened it and now there is a time to prove that it deserves to stay.

Kielce centre back Tomasz Rosinski tells ehfCL.com about the peculiarity of the Polish derby.

ehfCL.com: You have just come back from Płock and you have to go there again. How have you passed your time in the coach?

Tomasz Rosiński: We got used to permanent trips; let’s say we are able to enjoy ourselves [laugh]. It is not a long journey, only three and a half an hours, we have had much more exhausting experiences.

ehfCL.com: Your latest match against Płock must have been one of them?

Tomasz Rosiński: Actually we were dominating from the beginning, but it was not until the second half that we managed to assume a three-goal run. I have to admit, that the two two-minute suspensions that Płock received almost simultaneously helped us a little bit, but I don’t think it had a decisive influence on the course of the match.

We have to play much better on Sunday, because Marcin Lijewski is back on the court. He will be a serious danger for our defence.

ehfCL.com: Last time you had trouble stopping Mariusz Jurkiewicz for the majority of the game. Why?

Tomasz Rosiński: It’s hard to say, he is a great player and he proved that during the last match. We couldn’t have stopped him and we have to work on that, because Mariusz has lofty aspirations and he will try to thwart our plans again.

ehfCL.com: How will you stop him?

Tomasz Rosiński: It’s too early to answer the question, but we will devise something.

ehfCL.com: Wisła showed recently that, in spite of a few injuries, they’re still a dangerous rival.

Tomasz Rosiński: That’s right. Wisła Płock has always been a respected opponent. Every year our matches are equal and the final result of each game are decided on small details. They have been making the same tactical steps for many years, so have we. Thus the key to victory on Sunday is to use the tactics effectively.

ehfCL.com: Did you notice any change in your matches against Płock in fans and in you and the players?

Tomasz Rosiński: I think that once it was something more than just a match, than just a game. It was a real “holy war”.

In my opinion, for us, players, it is becoming more and more ordinary now. It’s a duel of two equal teams and this is how we treat it. Just like in every match, we just want to win.

However, we all get a huge dose of adrenaline from the supporters making us more concentrated on the game. The fans make the atmosphere and it means so much for them and that is the reason why our matches against Płock still electrify Polish handball.

ehfCL.com: Do you think, that it is possible to have two Polish teams in the Last 16 this season?

Tomasz Rosiński: Well, I think that there is a great chance to do it. Both Płock and Kielce look reliable this year, but there is a long road ahead.

The goal of Wisła is to get to the Last 16 and, looking at their attitude in previous matches in the Champions League and in domestic contests, I think they are able to reach their objective.

ehfCL.com: What about you?

Tomasz Rosiński: We want to repeat the success from last season. The most important for us is to win the Polish league and cup. You know, as a matter of fact, the Champions League is a lottery. We are a great team, indeed, but we still need to be lucky in a draw as we were last year. We will see, if we can call ourselves lucky beggars consistently.

There are about twelve teams that could make it all the way to Cologne. The final result depends on a streak of luck, on the number of injuries, on motivation. We are going to do our best in order to return to FINAL4.