Euros Preview: Poland

Above: Poland team photo ahead of Euros qualifier. Image: PZPN (Polish Football Association).

By Ella McShane (25/6/25).

Poland is set to make their UEFA Women’s Euro debut this summer. Having defied the odds just to qualify, they’ve already written their name into modern women’s football history and bring prospect and unrivalled belief to Switzerland this summer.

The Orlice (“The Eaglesses” in English) have strong support from their governing body and have pioneered the now prospectus future of women’s football in Poland as individuals. But they go into this competition as true underdogs, is the Orlice lack of experience at the elite level going to be their downfall? Or will this be the time a prospectus Poland establish themselves in women’s football?

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Natalia Radkiewicz (Pogoń Szczecin), Kinga Szemik (West Ham United), Kinga Seweryn (GKS Katowice).

Defenders: Kayla Adamek (Ottawa Rapid), Paulina Dudek (Paris Saint-Germain), Sylwia Matysik (FC Köln), Emila Szymczak (Barcelona B), Martyna Wiankowska (FC Köln), Oliwaia Woś (Basel).

Midfielders: Adriana Achcińska (FC Köln), Martyna Brodzik (Pogoń Szczecin), Dominika Grabowska (TSG Hoffenheim), Ewelina Kamczyk (FC Fleury), Milena Kokosz (Åsane), Tanja Pawollek (Eintracht Frankfurt), Klaudia Słowwińzka (GKS Katowice).

Forwards: Klaudia Jedlińska (Dijon), Nadia Krezyman (Dijon), Natalia Padilla-Bidas (Sevilla), Ewa Pajor (Barcelona), Paulina Tomasiak (Górnik Łęczna), Weronika Zawistowska (Bayern Munich).

Head Coach:

**Above**: Nina Patalon from the bench. **Image:** UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 via Facebook.

In 2021 Nina Patalon was appointed head coach of the Poland women’s national team, making history as the first female to succeed the role. The Polish manager undertook the role with an abundance of experience in both domestic and international polish football, having been involved with the youth national team program since 2011.

Since her appointment, Patalon has been an advocate for concrete infrastructure across all roles in women’s football in Poland and has accredited the slow but sure developments in recent years, to the now prospectus future of the national team. In a sit down with Inside FIFA Patalon stated: “We are aware that if we had not taken concrete steps a few years ago, we would not be able to enjoy our current achievements. Popularisation of women’s football in Poland is a process, requiring constant attention and implementation of many projects. The guidelines in our strategy drive our progress and decisions.” (Inside FIFA, 2025)

Euro History:

The 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros will mark Poland’s long-awaited Euros debut. After years of missing out on qualification for any major competition, their historic play-off victory against Austria in December of last year, wrote the first chapters of their Euros history in front of modern women’s football’s eyes.

How they qualified:

Poland was placed in group A4 of the Women’s European Qualifiers alongside Germany Austria and Iceland. Being placed in group A meant that the Orlice were at the most advanced tier of qualifiers, with the top 16 teams in Europe.

Poland finished last in their group and failed to qualify directly. However, their earlier success in their UEFA Women’s Nations League group, granted them a spot in the play offs. They beat Romania on 6-2 on aggregate and then went onto beat favourites Austria. The 2-0 aggregate victory booked the Orlice ticket to Switzerland.

Strengths:

Present in both staff and players alike, leadership and experience is undoubtedly this group’s biggest asset.

Head coach Nina Patalon has been a presence in the Poland Women’s national team since 2011. Her experience in both youth and senior level has allowed Patalon to develop a distinct playing style and build presumably unrivalled relationships with her squad.

Players like Ewa Pajor, Paulina Dudek, and Weronika Zawistowska bring a wealth of top-flight experience, having earned their stripes and even leading at some of Europe’s most elite clubs.

Development Areas:

Poland’s biggest weaknesses are on the pitch. The side lacks a playmaker in the midfield and squad depth.

On numerous occasions, Poland have been unable to confidently control the tempo of a match, a group improvement synonymous to the development of the midfield. This has led to a pattern of break downs in play at both the front and back line.

Although players like Pajor and Dudek play such an admirable role in the national team, the team is reliant on these players for a chance at a good outcome. If one of them was to be injured, Poland’s current squad depth would not provide an equitable second option.

Key Players:

**Above:** Ewa Pajor. **Image:** @BarcaFem via X.

Captain and FC Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor orchestrates individual and group brilliance on the pitch and inspires unity and growth off it.

At club level, Pajor was crowned Liga F’s top goal scorer in the 2024/25 club season scoring a total of 25 goals across 29 league appearances. At an international level, Pajor noticeably maintains possession and control at the frontline and leads with composure and experience.

Off the pitch, Pajor’s impact is reshaping the landscape of women’s football in Poland. As the first female player to reach the legendary tier of football, her career path alone is actively establishing a blueprint.

Paulina Dudek, defender and captain of Paris Saint-Germain has been characterised an indispensable leader who carries herself with humility, professionalism, and respect.

On the pitch, Dudek analyses a game in a way that intelligently anticipates threat. As a former midfielder, you will often see her hone in on her rich tactical skill set to create unique “long passing” sequences that can maintain possession.

At both club and international level, Dudek’s leadership has been praised as composed, respectful and an anchor during chaotic match moments. Skills that will undoubtedly be crucial when up against some of the best attacking line-ups in the world.

**Above:** Paulina Dudek. **Image:** Paulina Dudek via Facebook.

One to Watch:

Goalkeeper Kinga Szemik will be the Orlice to watch this Euros. Although the 27-year-old has a wealth of playing experience, her career at the elite level is thus far not very decorated.

Some might argue that Szemik’s lack of accolades is not reflective of her quality as a keeper. Currently West Ham United’s first choice keeper, Szemik has been instrumental in the club’s strongest campaign in the Women’s Super League to date. Consistently making incredible saves against world class competitors in the Women’s Super League. Many of whom she could face at the Euros this summer.

**Above:** Kinga Szemik lines up before a match with the national team. **Image**: Mateusz Slodkowski via Getty Images.

Success would be:

For Poland, a successful Euros campaign could be characterised by a victory over one of the top nations within their group. Placed in a group with Germany, Denmark and Sweden, the chances of progression outside of the group stages is slim. However, a victory against a top side alone would massively contribute to establishing Poland’s seat at the table in elite international football and open doors for more media attention, commercialisation and thus growth.

Prediction:

This is a group and federation driven by infrastructure and individuals that genuinely believe in the potential of women’s football.

Historically the Orlice’s have not been part of the conversation of elite level international football, but it is clear to see that determination and belief has gotten this group of players and staff to Switzerland and asserted themselves at the table.

Progression to the knockout stages of this competition is statistically not likely for Poland, but sport psychology theory proves how far belief can take a team, time and time again.