Wiktor Nowak addresses rapid rise to Poland senior squad ahead of Romania fixture
The 22-year-old Slavia Prague midfielder made his first senior press conference appearance in Warsaw before Friday's UEFA Nations League meeting with Romania at PGE Narodowy.
Senior national team breakthrough
Slavia Prague midfielder Wiktor Nowak attended his first pre-match press conference for the Poland senior national team on 1 October ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Romania. The 22-year-old midfielder earned his senior debut under head coach Jan Urban after coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute of a 0-0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. His display in that fixture earned him an immediate promotion to the starting eleven for Poland's next match, a 1-3 defeat to Sweden in Solna. Addressing journalists on Thursday, Nowak reflected on his swift advancement to senior international football and the personal discipline required to handle the sudden attention.
Everything is happening so fast around me lately. You have to keep a cool head. Deal with it so you do not fly too far. I am still myself.
Rapid progression through club football
Nowak's path to the national team developed across several clubs over eighteen months. In the spring of 2025, he played in the Polish second division for Znicz Pruszków before completing a move to Ekstraklasa club Górnik Zabrze. After leaving Górnik Zabrze without making an official appearance, he moved on loan to Wisła Płock, where he established himself as a central figure in the squad. Czech First League club Slavia Prague subsequently signed him in a transfer valued at 2.4 million euros. Nowak made his debut in the UEFA Champions League for the Prague club, quickly establishing himself in their domestic and European campaigns.
- Plays for Znicz Pruszków in the Polish second division
- Poland under-21 team defeats Sweden 3-0 in Katowice
- Nowak appears at his first senior national team press conference
- Poland hosts Romania at PGE Narodowy at 20:45
Midfield partnership and under-21 connection
On the international stage, Nowak has formed a central midfield partnership with Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński. Nowak noted that playing alongside Zieliński represented a long-held ambition from his childhood, explaining the simplified tactical dynamic of linking up with an experienced creator. Prior to his senior call-up, Nowak was a regular in Poland's under-21 national team under manager Jerzy Brzęczek. The under-21 squad secured a 3-0 victory against Sweden in Katowice on Wednesday, 30 September, in their qualification campaign for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship. Nowak offered congratulations to his former youth teammates, stating that operational standards and professional preparation in the senior camp mirrored those of the under-21 setup.
If two good players meet in the centre of the pitch, it is definitely much easier. It is great to play with him, he is a great player, you just give him the ball and let things happen.
Preparations for Romania at PGE Narodowy
Poland prepares to host Romania at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw on Friday, 2 October, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45. The Polish national team enters the fixture seeking its first win of the current Nations League group stage following a 0-0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the 1-3 loss in Sweden. Nowak stated that the team conducted a detailed analysis of Romania, pointing out their opponent's frequent lineup rotations while urging his teammates to concentrate on executing Poland's internal tactical plan. The session marked Nowak's first official appearance at a senior press conference, which was facilitated by team spokespeople Emil Kopański and Tomasz Kozłowski.
