We had the opportunity to speak with Michal Kubiak, who was in attendance to watch the third match of the Polish Przyliga Playoffs semi-final between Warsaw and Zawiercie on Saturday, April 26th.
Kubiak is a former captain of the Polish national team and played for Panasonic Panthers (now Osaka Bulleteon) in Japan for seven seasons from 2016/17 to 2022/23. He currently plays for Shanghai in China.
T: It's been a while. Following last season, you are now playing for Shanghai in China and have won the Chinese league.
Kubiak: Yes, we were champions for the second year in a row. I was playing really well at the end of the season and was able to win, so I was very happy.
T: And now you're back in Warsaw, Poland, and you're here supporting the Warsaw team.
Kubiak: Yes, I live here. I came to support the Warsaw team because I have close friends there. Of course I have friends in Zabiercie too, but I live in Warsaw now and trained with them before the season, so my heart is with Warsaw.
T: But unfortunately, Warsaw lost today's match and missed out on advancing to the finals.
Kubiak: It's a sport, you win and you lose, so it's OK.
T: Are you watching the SV League this season?
Kubiak: Of course! I watch the Japanese league, especially Panasonic, sorry Osaka Bulletin, haha, but for me it will always be Panasonic. I've left a lot of my body in Japan, I've been there for 7 years, so obviously I watch almost every game.
T: Unfortunately, Osaka Bulleteon lost in the semi-finals held today.
Kubiak: Yeah, I know. Hopefully they'll bounce back from this.
Q: Which team do you think will win?
A: Yes, it's very difficult to predict. Suntory is playing very well. And now JTEKT is playing very well with a full team, so I think they have a chance to become champions.
T: And you'll be coming to Japan next month to take part in the Asian Champions League.
Kubiak: Yes, I'm going with the Shanghai team. I think we can expect good results. If we can play with the Chinese national team players, I think we can make a very good team. We'll do our best to put up a good fight.
T: Are you excited to go back to Osaka?
A: Of course! I'll be spending 10 days in Osaka. I'm looking forward to it.
Photo: TOSHIKI, volleychina.org
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