Polish connection adds spice to Wisla encounter for Wiencek

A thrilling three-horse race has developed in Group B of the VELUX EHF Champions League after leaders Kielce suffered two successive defeats to the ever improving KIF Kolding Kobenhavn.

This has given German champions THW Kiel another shot at getting a hold on first place in the group, as long as they can get over the challenge of fourth placed Wisla Plock on Sunday 1 December (live on ehfTV.com at 14:30 CET).

For Patrick Wiencek the challenge will be enriched by a connection to the country of his opponents.

His parents were born in Poland, lived much of their youth on the Baltic coast (mother) and in Silesia (father), before they moved to Germany.

"We have several times been on holiday in Poland. Near the coast my parents own a holiday home and it was especially wonderful when in Plock my grandfather was in the hall,” said the line player.

“Of course relatives and friends in Poland watch very closely if I play for THW against a Polish team. However, I’m not aware of these things during the game, I only think about it in retrospect,” admitted the 24-year-old.

Wiencek does not speak much Polish, which was one of the reasons why he did not take up an earlier offer by the Poles to represent them in international competition.

“My home is Germany, I feel and I speak German,” said Wiencek when describing his decision to play for Germany.

The line player is one of the rising stars in recent years, playing 48 times for Germany. However, the focus is now on Kiel’s next task against the Polish runners-up.

"Wisla Plock have improved their squad greatly this summer and are lying in wait to win a big game. It is very important for us to win and we are determined to win our group,” Wiencek said in conclusion.