The Polish Men’s league is approaching the start of the season, and with the help of experts Magda Pluszewska and Szymon Ratajczak we take a closer look at the Men’s league. Who will win the league? Which player will stand out?
Which team will win the league this season and why?
Magda: Ah, the eternal question! If the Orlen Superliga existed without the Kielce–Płock rivalry, it would be a completely different league – less drama (or maybe more?), less Kielce’s theatricality, and less Plock’s pride. But we live in a two-pole reality, in a country where every championship dream is born either in Hala Legionów or in Orlen Arena.
Kielce or Płock? – a question asked every year with the same freshness as “will the snow surprise road crews again?” Changes are afoot in Kielce. In goal, Adam Morawski has arrived – a name well known in Płock, where he was a key figure for years. This is yet another high-profile transfer between these two giants, and as history shows, such moves are never easy – neither for the player nor the fans. But “Loczek” is a pro, and he’s hungry for success, especially since he’s still chasing that elusive Polish championship.
– On the other hand, Industria has lost two key figures: Tomasz Gębala – a defensive cornerstone – and Igor Karacić, who had long orchestrated the center of attack. Coach Talant Dujshebaev has made it clear: if a new defender is to join the squad, it must be someone top-tier – no compromises. And let’s not forget: this will be the final season in Kielce for both Alex and Daniel Dujshebaev, so expect them to give it everything they’ve got.
– Płock, meanwhile… well, they’re gearing up like reaching the Final 4 of the Champions League is a requirement, not a dream. Richardson, Ilic, Bergerud, Kosorotov – these aren’t just signings; they’re part of a full-blown arms race. Wisła now boasts a deep, strong, and complete squad, and coach Sabate finally has a rich tactical arsenal at his disposal.
It’s just a pity that in this clash of titans, Polish players so rarely play leading roles. Sure – Moryto in Kielce, Daszek and Krajewski in Płock are reliable, top-tier Polish talent. But most of the roster is now made up of international players. And honestly, who can blame the clubs? When your goal is the European throne, you go for those with the experience, the quality, and the winning mentality – no matter their passport.
– So who’s it going to be? If logic, squad depth and bench strength are the deciding factors: Płock. But if the magic of Hala Legionów, Talant’s seasoned leadership, and sheer willpower have anything to say – Kielce. And since handball is a sport of heart and elbow grease – I’ll say this championship will be decided in a dramatic finale. The kind where no one asks “who won?”, but rather: “how on earth did we survive that?”
Szymon: Orlen Wisła Płock, because the quality gap in the squad has grown even more in favor of Xavier Sabaté’s team.
Which player will stand out?
Magda: Anyone can stand out – one with a bold haircut, another with pinpoint passing, a third with an impressive goal tally, and yet another through selfless defensive work. Let’s not forget that success in a team sport is built on the efforts of all players, not just individual brilliance.
At the start of the season, it’s difficult to single out one clear standout. Many players are still getting used to new environments, learning systems, adjusting – and that takes time. That said, it’s no surprise that the brightest spotlights are focused on Płock and Kielce.
Melvyn Richardson – a Champions League winner with Barcelona – is now expected to lead the offense in Płock. Technically gifted and instinctively sharp, he’ll be under more pressure than he’s faced in years. Meanwhile, Aleks Vlah steps into the shoes of Igor Karacić in Kielce – a big name in European handball. But Vlah isn’t a replica of the Croatian legend; he brings something different – younger legs, explosive movement, and valuable experience from his time in Denmark.
Will they stand out? Hard to say. But one thing’s for sure – everyone expects them to.
And let’s not overlook the younger players – still underrated, but hungry for minutes and progress. It might just be one of them we’ll all be talking about in a few months. Because handball, like any team sport, thrives on surprises.
Szymon: Melvyn Richardson, who will become a major star in Poland and reach an even higher level.
Which player will have his big breakthrough?
Magda: A breakthrough in a player’s career isn’t always about a sudden spark of talent – often, it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, it’s only after a change of scenery that a player can truly spread their wings – not everyone thrives under the pressure of big clubs and constant title expectations.
– That might be the case for Szymon Wiaderny. In Kielce, he was more of a rotation option, but in Legionowo he now has a real chance to step into a more important role. Similarly, Maciej Stawicki – a young winger from Płock – could gain valuable top-level experience at Zepter Legionowo.
– It’s also worth mentioning Piotr Jarosiewicz, especially given Dylan Nahi’s current injury. With the Frenchman sidelined, Jarosiewicz has a golden opportunity to break into the starting lineup and show what he’s capable of. He arrives from Puławy with strong numbers and clear strengths: speed, efficiency on fast breaks, and reliable penalty shooting. If he starts the season well, he might not only cover for Nahi but truly establish himself in Kielce’s lineup long term.
– And then there’s Piotr Jędraszczyk. After a solid spell in Opole, where he proved he can lead at a high level, he now returns to Kielce. But this is a different challenge – proving he can do the same in a team with international ambitions. If he succeeds, it could be a defining moment in his career.
Szymon: Piotr Jędraszczyk, who will spend his first season at Industria Kielce under Talant Dujshebaev’s leadership, and hopefully, he’ll rise to the international level.
Which player, team or event will be the most disappointing?
Magda: It’s hard not to mention Górnik Zabrze, a club with rich tradition that recently fought for a place on the podium, but now finds itself without a license to compete in the Superliga. It’s a disappointing and unfortunate situation.
– Azoty Puławy could also turn out to be a disappointment – though of a different kind. The team narrowly avoided collapse and now operates with an almost entirely rebuilt squad, assembled in a hurry. Only a handful of players remain from last season, while most of the roster consists of names brought in on short notice. The team is officially back in training, but with limited time before the season starts and an unsettled situation off the court, expectations are naturally modest.
And yet – not all hope is lost. A few names offer cautious optimism. So perhaps, just perhaps, they’ll surprise us after all.
Szymon: I never express such opinions before the season starts so as not to harm anyone, and it’s too early for predictions anyway. However, I’m concerned that one of the clubs might not finish the season due to financial problems.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Magda: I’m most looking forward to the moment when the dust from the transfer market finally settles, and real handball takes over – because in the end, it’s the court that tells the truth. We’re heading into a season full of questions, and that uncertainty might just be its greatest strength.
– I’m eager to see whether we’re witnessing a shift in power – can Płock, led by Melvyn Richardson, not only defend their domestic title but also become a genuine threat on the European stage? I’m equally curious how Industria Kielce will respond – in what could be the final season for the Dujshebaev brothers, and the first under acting president Paweł Papaj. And that’s an interesting story, worth following closely!
– A major highlight awaits already at the end of August: only the second ever Polish Super Cup. And we’re diving straight into the deep end – Orlen Wisła Płock vs. Industria Kielce. It won’t decide the season, but it will offer a first glimpse of who found rhythm early and who made the most of the summer.
– But above all, I look forward to the unpredictable – dramatic comebacks, matches that flip the standings, rivalries reignited, and moments that no preview could ever anticipate. Sometimes it’s a single quote in a post-match interview that lights up the fans more than any statistic. Goals and results matter, of course – but it’s the tension, the twists, the raw emotion that turn a season into a story. And the best part? No one knows how this one ends.
Szymon: All matches between Industria Kielce and Orlen Wisła Płock. Ever since Wisła claimed the title after many years, this rivalry has become the most intense in history.
Magda Pluszewska: Polish journalist with over a decade of experience covering men’s handball. She has reported from World and European Championships, as well as multiple editions of the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. As an EHF correspondent, she contributed to official tournament media, including the Men’s EHF EURO 2016 blog, and regularly covered Polish national team matches and Champions League games involving Polish clubs. For over five years, she was professionally involved with Łomża Vive Kielce (now Industria Kielce) including serving as the club’s Media & Communication Manager. She also was part of the official awards panel of the PGNiG Superliga. Beyond journalism, she is recognized for her expertise in sports communication and public relations.
Szymon Ratajczak: Polish journalist affiliated with Eurosport. He serves as a commentator for both the men’s and women’s Orlen Superliga. His professional experience includes coverage of major international handball events such as the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, as well as the EHF Champions League (men’s and women’s) and the German Men’s Bundesliga, working in the roles of both commentator and reporter. In March 2025, he published the book “Zawód: Trener” (The Profession: Coach, SQN Originals), a multi-voice, psychological account of the realities faced by Polish coaches—touching on pressure, team management, burnout, and locker room dynamics—based on interviews with prominent figures, including Talant Dujshebaev and Marcin Lijewski. He is also the creator and director of the 2023 documentary “Radogol”, about footballer Radosław Gilewicz, and works as a public speaking coach and a licensed stadium announcer certified by the Polish Football Association (PZPN).