Down 0:2 in the Champions League semi-final, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie looked defeated—until head coach Michał Winiarski made a daring move. Trusting instinct over stats, he brought in veterans Patryk Łaba and Karol Butryn, both unexpected choices under the circumstances.
Their entry changed everything. Łaba brought intensity, Butryn found rhythm, and the team rallied for an epic comeback win.
Karol Butryn, returning from injury, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute:
“I’m very happy that I could help because my appearance was quite uncertain.”
Bartosz Kwolek, who led the team with 24 points, highlighted the impact of his teammate:
“For me, Patryk Łaba is a global phenomenon. Day in and day out, he gives his all in training and deserves such matches.”
Coach Winiarski acknowledged the risk involved in his decision:
“It was a gamble. Karol had only two training sessions, and not even full ones. It was an ‘all in’ situation, and it worked.”
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