#CzasNaBelek: Camp Summary

All good things must come to an end – this proverb applies to the Wisła Kraków players, who closed their training camp in Belek on February 3rd and returned to a slightly less sunny Krakow. After a short break to relax at home, they began another round of intense training, providing a chance to fine-tune the final details before returning to the game for points.

Two weeks in Belek

Before we turn our attention to the opening round of the spring season and the match against Stal Rzeszów, it's worth briefly summarizing the last two weeks of Wisła's work in Turkey. On Saturday, January 20th, at 4:45 a.m., a meeting took place at the stadium on Reymonta Street, marking the beginning of a 2,681-kilometer journey. Shortly after 5 a.m., the club bus took the Wisła first team to Katowice Airport, from where they flew directly to Antalya. In nearby Belek, the team checked into the now-familiar IC Santai Family Resort, where they were provided with four full-size football pitches, a gym, wellness pools, and a host of amenities that the Wisła team used for 14 days to hone their form.

"We're here and we're taking advantage of these conditions to increase our performance. I want to see you working hard at all times, giving 100%," emphasized coach Albert Rudé. At the first meeting, the staff presented a list of camp rules. Each day, the players received a detailed schedule of activities designed to maximize their time. A particularly interesting element of these schedules was the individual debriefings. These provided each player with personalized feedback on their progress and areas requiring improvement. Apart from the first, rainy day, the weather was kind to Wisła. On-field ball work was interspersed with sessions in the gym and pool. However, the most important training sessions, allowing for the assessment of progress in preparation, were the friendly matches.

Four sparring matches

During the camp, Wisła played four matches, two of which ended in wins and two draws. The opening match against FC Nassaji Mazandaran ended in a 0-0 draw. Despite the lack of effectiveness in front of goal, coach Rudé assessed his unofficial coaching debut as generally positive – he saw fight and commitment. It was a chance for the players to get into a rhythm and familiarize themselves with the implemented tactics. The coaching staff focused primarily on their ability to utilize open spaces. "It was a good test that allowed us to get into a rhythm. We need to refine some things, but I think the game plan is good. We will continue working to finish the preparation phase in Turkey in a positive mood," concluded Ángel Rodado.

As promised, the players refined the elements they lacked in the first match, which significantly helped them win the next two matches – 2-0 against FK Atyrau and 2-1 against Kolding IF. However, these matches were not without their mistakes. Along with many positive aspects, the coach pointed out moments of relaxation and a lack of intensity: "Congratulations on another victory. This is our mentality, which we work on every day to win every match. However, I don't want to see you playing like you did in the first five minutes of the second half anymore." He emphasized that his coaching staff's goal is to develop a form that will allow the players to play the full 90 minutes at the highest level. Every day in Belek, from morning to evening, was marked by diligent work. The team constantly worked on their ball handling and physicality.

New on board

A new player, Dejvi Bregu, has also joined the team, primarily to support the attacking third. The training camp was scheduled to conclude with a match against Arda Kardzhali. Watching this match, it was possible to see two different halves, a point our coach also highlighted in his post-match interview. After a brilliant first 45 minutes and two goals, Wisła's players lost their effectiveness in front of goal. They took revenge for the missed opportunities, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Coach Albert Rudé immediately assured the team that he knew the problem and that it was something that could be fully improved through training. He felt it was worth reflecting on the two weeks of solid work and preparation, which had already yielded visible progress. He summed up and praised the efforts of the entire staff and each player: "In my opinion, it was a great camp. Full of work. (...) I think we spent about twenty hours on the pitch. About ten hours in the gym, ten hours in debriefing. We played four games. We worked very hard. Now it's time for the guys to disconnect a bit mentally and physically. It's important for them to spend these few days with their families."

Returning to work in Poland

The next morning, Wisła returned to Poland, and after a short break, they checked in at the ORLEN OIL Training Center in Myślenice. It's worth noting that, in addition to the sporting benefits, the time spent at the camp in Belek also provided an ideal opportunity for team bonding – both within the team and with the fans. Numerous vlogs allowed us to participate in the birthday celebrations of Bartosz Jaroch and Álvaro Ratón, learn about our players' pre-match rituals and favorite foods, and check out their table tennis skills.

The players were eager to give interviews and also participated in other non-sporting events, such as Grandparents' Day and the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity auction. For the younger players, it was a chance to get to know their older teammates better and integrate into the first team. Quizzes and the "Wisłackie Espresso" series have returned to our YouTube channel. The star of the entire training camp was the mascot, Smoczyca, who kept everyone company at every turn.

A. Truty