Andrea Anastasi: play as a team

- Andrea Anastasi: Before these matches I had a conception I wanted to try, it is obvious. Furthermore, all of my players had opportunity to enter the court and feel the emotions resulting from the match.

Pzps.pl: What do you think about matches with the Czech Republic, as a coach?

- Andrea Anastasi: Before these matches I had a conception I wanted to try, it is obvious. Furthermore, all of my players had opportunity to enter the court and feel the emotions resulting from the match. Performing many changes the team does not remain the same and the level of the game gets lower. Nevertheless, this is my responsibility and you have to understand it. During the second match I wanted to test the remaining boys, who did not have opportunity to play on Friday. Maybe the result was not as I expected (Poland lost 2:3), but there was a fight on court. I was not an easy game because of the referees decisions, that caused a lot of nerves in both teams. Such situations are ideal opportunity to examine reaction of the team in a difficult moments which may appear during the game. I just sit on the bench and observe in peace the reactions of the players.

- Did you manage to achieve all of the goals set to be done before the match against the Czech Republic?
- First of all, we have to feel as a team and play as one. We have to understand will be an important factor of our game, especially during the forthcoming World Cup matches. Still some boys in the team are missing great condition. There for it is so important to be a team in such a moments. This week before the first match in Japan, we will practice to maintain calm on court and keep on thinking about the game still before us – against the national team of Cuba.  

- We all know the tournament in Japan will be very difficult one in all respects. What is your minimum plan for the World Cup?
- I hope we will Reach the podium. Why not? However, I think each coach leading a team at the World Cup has similar expectations. I know it is a difficult and complicated issue, but we have to fight and be aware of our place in the world ranking. For the moment we are ranked 8^th. Taking into consideration expectations it is not the best position. We will fight for every single ball in every match. We will do our best to get the podium. It is most important.

- Do you already know composition of the team (first six) for the match with Cuba?
- Of course I have an idea… (laugh).

- How is Bartosz Kurek feeling? During the second match he entered the court only for one set. After his absence at the Friday’s match, we expected him to play the whole match. I hope he is fine?
- Yes, everything is fine. There is nothing wrong happening. Our doctor – Jan Sokal – let me try Bartek only for one set. He did not want to agree for more. What could I say? I said, ok if it has to be only one set, let’s make it this way. In my opinion it is very important for Bartek to be with the team. It is not his best moment, he does not play as he used to at the World League or the European Championships, but there is still a lot of time and matches before us. There is possibility he will not play during the first matches of the World Cup, but there are still many matches for us to face in the future and Bartek will surely have opportunity to get back on court.