This will be a great strengthening of the Warsaw Project. “We know how to work together”

PGE Projekt Warszawa showed itself on a good side in the previous season of PlusLiga. The team from the capital won the first European cup in the club’s history. Thanks to two victories, it defeated Vero Volley Monza in the Challenge Cup final. Additionally, it took third place in the league competition, which means that in the upcoming season, after a years’ break, it will play in the Champions League again.

Interview with Piotr Graban, trainer at PGE Projekt Warszawa

Piotr Graban will start his second full season as the Project’s coach. This time, the expectations for the coach from Gdańsk are greater. However, he has a solid squad at his disposal, enriched by important transfers. Jakub Kochanowski and Tobias Brand will join the capital of the country.

In a conversation with “Wprost” on the occasion of announcing the signing of a new sponsorship agreement, Graban revealed what he was counting on in the context of his team’s appearance in the Champions League. The coach did not mince his words, saying that Projekt is capable of winning the group. In addition, he is waiting for competition with new stars who will come to the PlusLiga.

Michał Winiarczyk, “Wprost”: The Warsaw project has retained the core of the squad from last season. This can probably be seen as a small success.

Piotr Graban: It is very important, and maybe the most important, that we have kept the most important players in the team. We wanted to do it as soon as possible, to feel the stability for the next season. We know each other, we know how to work together. Additionally, we have “thrown in” three new players who will give even more quality.

You didn’t have peace during your free time. You were an assistant to the Ukrainian national team.

I’m the type of person who, after three days off, wants to work (laughs). My partner on vacation quickly noticed that she was carrying me to work. We quickly started some wrestling, planning, and so on.

The word “gym” was mentioned. Are you not worried about the team’s condition during a demanding season? You have Champions League matches coming up.

No, because that’s one of the reasons we’ve acquired new players. Adding to that the experience from last season, I think we’ll be ready for the challenges.

How do you rate the Project group in Champions League?

It is interesting, allowing us to think about taking first place. There is no big favorite. We do not have a volleyball powerhouse like Perugia. Berlin Recycling Volleys are beatable. They are a team at our level. As for the other teams, we have to tighten up and do our part. There is no point in hiding it, we will be the favorites in these matches.

In the upcoming season of PlusLiga we will see great stars like Wilfredo Leon, Bartosz Kurek and Aaron Russell. Is a strong league coming?

It was strong and will be even stronger. Several world-class stars have arrived. Let’s hope that the league will continue to climb. It has less and less room to develop, due to its great reputation. I thought it was one of the best competitions in the world, but now we seem to be taking the lead on our own.

You worked in women’s volleyball in the past, so you know the environment. How do you assess the chances of Polish volleyball players in Paris?

The girls have made huge progress in recent years. It is clear that the change of coach and staff has been good for the Polish team. Thanks to recent successes, we can hope for something good. No one expects Lavarini’s team to be as successful as the men’s team, but this team is capable of surprising any rival. Above all, I wish them the top eight, and the top four will be the height of their dreams.

It’s great to see that not only the men, but also the women, are keeping up with the world’s top teams. Women’s volleyball was somewhat forgotten for a long time, but in recent years it has been quickly closing the gap to its professional colleagues.