‘Next season we want to do even better and earn a podium finish, says Cracovia coach Jacek Zieliński.

- Congratulations on earning your place in the Europa League qualifying round. You must be very proud of the team!

- Thank you! Yes, I am very proud of the team - the players and our coaching staff. All of them deserve credit for what Cracovia achieved this season. Its been a real group effort. There are many people who work very hard and contribute to the team and also deserve commendation. Everything worked out the way we wanted it to and now we get to celebrate.

- Since you took over the team it has changed beyond recognition, even though the squad remained more or less the same. What is your recipe for success?

- I dont think I have a recipe for success. We just got through to the players and from the start had great team chemistry. We hit it off right away which resulted in the teams good performances. The truth is we just have a great group of skilled players. Its not like we were trying to boil the ocean.

- The European competition is not the only thing you managed to achieve. Cracovia defeated Wisła and Ruch in away games for the first time in 56 and 65 years respectively.

- Of course, such kind of victories were also of great importance. Especially the win over Wisła meant a great deal to our fans as it allowed them to bask in glory. They have waited for such a moment for many, many years. I think that with every victory we were one step closer to what we achieved at the end of the season. We tried to win the bronze medal, we didnt manage to but the Europa League qualifying round is also a dream come true. Its something we talked about a year ago when we came top of the relegation group.

- Whats incredible, only once this season Cracovia were lower than fifth in the Ekstraklasa.

- Yes, we spent most of the season in the top three so we wish we could have kept the third position. However, I have to say Zagłębie Lubin finished the season in style, they were the revelation of the Ekstraklasa this spring. They were the better team and outran us but I think that the fourth place gives Cracovia some hope considering they only played to avoid relegation in the last couple of years. Next season we want to do even better and earn a podium finish.

- What was the most difficult moment this season?

- I think it was in September when we went through a bad spell as we lost at home to Termalica and a few days later we were defeated by Zagłębie. It wasnt easy but all of this didnt affect us that much and sour our spirit. We bucked up and pulled ourselves together and were the dominant team in the remaining games last year. In the second part of the season at some point we also were in crisis which was marked by six games without victory. There were many conspiracy theories surrounding the team, which makes me even happier we proved to everyone what were capable of and that we were ready to fight to the finish.

- What was the best moment? Earning your spot in the Europa League qualifying round?

- It all came down to that moment, but there were also many games during which we showed to the fans we are getting better and better. We are very happy about the Europa League but we are also well-aware of the fact that the Polish teams usually dont do very good in the European competitions. We want to concentrate on the Ekstraklasa, it is our main task, and we treat the Europa League as a nice adventure.

- What do you think about Bartosz Kapustkas chance to be named in Polands Euro 2016 squad?

- Im quite sure he will make Adam Nawałkas 23-man squad. What is more, I think he proved this spring he is going to be one of Polands key players. In my opinion he has a promising international career ahead of him and could be a positive surprise.

AT