The women’s national team’s qualification for the 2025 European Championship hides more than one secret
It happened! The Polish women’s national football team has qualified for the European Championship for the very first time. This historic success is the result not only of hard work and determination, but also of incredible emotions on and off the pitch. Starting July 4, the eyes of Polish fans will turn to Switzerland, where the Polish women will face the strongest teams on the continent.
A tough start, an unforgettable finish
Qualifiers and magical playoffs
The road to EURO 2025 was not strewn with roses. The beginning of the qualifiers was so difficult that the Polish team did not record a single win in the group stage. But fate gave our players a second chance — the playoffs. It was there that the Polish women showed their true footballing character.
First, they dispatched Romania, winning by a convincing 6–2 aggregate. Particularly impressive was the 4–1 home victory at the stadium in Gdańsk, recently declared the official “home” of the women’s national team.
The culmination, however, was the battle with Austria — the favorites in this clash. The Polish women showed class: two tough matches, two victories, and a historic 2–0 aggregate. In Gdańsk the decisive goal came in the 57th minute, scored by Natalia Padilla. In the return leg in Vienna, the decisive blow was delivered by Ewa Pajor in stoppage time. The stadium in Austria’s capital fell silent, while the joy of the Polish players exploded in the center of the Vienna pitch — mission accomplished!
A new era for Polish women’s football
The qualification brought not only sporting success, but also record popularity for women’s football in Poland. The playoff battles were watched by tens of thousands of fans in stadiums and hundreds of thousands on television. Such enthusiasm from fans is proof that women’s football is gaining ever greater importance in Poland.
Exceptional women on the pitch — the squad for EURO
The historic success was achieved by an exceptional group of players led by coach Nina Patalon and her staff. The tournament squad includes, among others:
- Goalkeepers: Kinga Szemik, Natalia Radkiewicz, Kinga Seweryn.
- Defenders: Karolina Adamek, Patrycja Dudek, Sylwia Matysik, Elżbieta Szymczak, Monika Wiankowska, Olivia Woś, Weronika Zieniewicz.
- Midfielders: Aleksandra Achińska, Monika Brodzik, Dominika Grabowska, Ewa Kamczyk, Marta Kokosz, Tatiana Pallowek, Klaudia Słowińska.
- Forwards: Kinga Jedlińska, Natalia Krezyman, Natalia Padilla-Bidas, Ewa Pajor, Patrycja Tomasiak, Weronika Zawistowska.
The team’s stars — the ones we count on the most!
Ewa Pajor — Poland’s “Messi in a skirt”
Ewa Pajor has become a true ambassador for women’s football in the country. She began her career at fifteen in the Ekstraliga, breaking scoring records. After international success with the Polish youth team, she joined European giants — VfL Wolfsburg, and now plays for FC Barcelona. It was her decisive goal that secured Poland’s qualification for the European Championship.
Aleksandra Sikora — versatile and indispensable
Before reaching the big stage, Aleksandra Sikora conquered domestic stadiums with Medyk Konin, then made her mark at Juventus Turin. In the national team she became known for her incredible versatility, playing roles from forward to defender. Her experience will be invaluable against Europe’s powerhouses.
Paulina Dudek — the defensive pillar
Paulina Dudek is the heart of Poland’s defense, and a mainstay at Paris Saint-Germain. With success at youth national team levels, Dudek is known for her football intelligence and leadership at the highest level.
Opponents at EURO — Germany, Sweden, and Denmark
At EURO the Polish women will play against the very best: Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.
- Germany, the most decorated team in the history of the European Championships, is in a period of transition and looking for new leaders. This is where our players may find their chance.
- Sweden, extremely strong physically and well-organized, unbeaten in their last nine matches. Their many years of waiting for a major success may play into Poland’s mental approach to the game.
- Denmark is probably the least stable squad in the group, though with the star Pernille Harder at the helm. In recent matches the team has shown inconsistency, which Poland should aim to exploit.
EURO 2025 match schedule:
- July 4: Germany vs Poland (St. Gallen)
- July 8: Poland vs Sweden (Lucerne)
- July 12: Poland vs Denmark (Lucerne)
The historic dimension of success
The Polish women’s qualification for EURO is a breakthrough in the history of women’s football in Poland. Long underrated, the sport is now stepping into the spotlight — growing investment, media attention, and fan interest signal a booming trend. Another historic game lies ahead — clashes with Europe’s giants are an opportunity to showcase and confirm the development of Polish women’s football on the world stage.
The future looks promising — every point earned, every match against the best can be another important step in the beautiful, though still young, history of Polish women’s football. One thing is certain — this summer, we’ll be crossing our fingers harder than ever!
