The qualification achievement for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 for Poland superseded being just a sporting occasion, as it became a landmark moment for the nation. The range of emotion for players and spectators throughout the game was as varied as their jersey. Among the defining moments was Oliwia Woś; smiling with all of her heart, clearly representing then years of struggle, sacrifice, and sheer will. For others, Ewa Pajor included, there were tears of joy because a dream was achieved. This major tournament will be the first time in their history that Poland’s women’s national team will feature at a major tournament, and they are not going to Switzerland to simply be there.
The Path to Euro 2025: A Sacrifice
There was nothing flukey about Poland making it to the tournament. In a must must-win battle against Austria, Poland went in as underdogs, but head coach Nina Patalon and her side showed not only tactical nous but also unbelievable heart and temperament. In both playoff legs against Austria, it showed consistency in aggression, organization, and even more importantly it exhibited a united front. The team have proved so far, this unity is a physical identifier of this Polish outfit.
A Code of Conduct
Nina Patalon being the first is important; she is now the first female head coach of the Poland senior national team and the first woman to take the Poland senior national team to a major tournament. Previously, she has worked with the Poland U15, U17, and U19 national teams, and to know the systemic development and pathway of Poland means the process has all the best possibilities, including to build and develop a team who not only has clearly defined goals but a defined pathway.
Her message is simple; “a team is best when it supports each other”. When you watch Poland play you see it; a team that fights for every inch, loose ball, and opportunity.
Strength in Accountability: Teamwork partnered with Individual Capacities
Poland has as one of the best performing midfields in this tournament. Ada Achcińska a defensive midfielder who gives every ball; seeing them as modestly winnable, anchors the three midfielders with grit. Tanja Pawollek is not only intelligent but offers vision; when combined with her positional awareness and game reading contributes to Poland’s team shape and rapid attack transition.
Paulina Dudek alongside Oliwia Woś at the back are both defenders and playmakers. Their passes of longball trajectories are sometimes the first pass in the rapid horizontal counter of the Polish team.
On a wide front, Ewelina Kamczyk and Natalia Padilla Bidas create width and unpredictability, stretch the defence, go back to get the ball and spring at speed. They are not only role players at intervals on four but strong contributors to the attacking game of Poland.
And then Ewa Pajor.
Ewa Pajor: Poland’s Star and Motivator
Ewa Pajor is Poland’s star at age 28. With over 100 caps and coming right off a season with Barcelona where she was top goal scorer and won a domestic double, Pajor boasts world-class talent and finishing ability. After a remarkable season with 43 goals, she’s already being rated as a Ballon d’Or contender.
However, Pajor’s brilliance is more than stats. As coach Patalon said, “On the pitch she is like a little girl — she just enjoys playing.” That joy, along with finishing ability and positional play, makes her the attacking heart of this team.
Ewelina Kamczyk: The Energy of the Team
While Pajor is the star, the energy and completeness of Poland comes from Ewelina Kamczyk. Aged 29 and playing with Fleury 91 in France, Kamczyk brings unmatched energy – pressing, tracking back, starting attacks, and shooting from distance. Her chemistry with Pajor goes back to their Under-17 European Championship win in 2013 and that connection continues to serve Poland well.
Kamczyk is also a psychological asset – her tremendous energy and vibe lifts the squad, even in tough moments.
Domestic Challenges: A League that Needs Lifting
Even with the national team’s success, Poland’s domestic women’s league – the Ekstraliga – is still a step behind.Matches are infrequently played in grand stadiums, the numbers in attendance are lacking, and the environment surrounding broadcasting is inconsistent. Four of the current squad are based in Poland, which speaks volumes of the levels of the league globally.
Many players are looking to go abroad and play at a higher level in a more professional program, and if Poland can do well at Euro 2025, that could be a springboard for further investment and possibilities in the domestic scene.
There is still a feeling of an underdog mentality. As West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik pointed out, Poland is one of the few teams that do not receive tournament-specific jerseys when all the other teams get a jersey, because that’s part of the status of qualifying. “Why are we treated differently?” she asked — and this is hard to forget for the battles that these women still face off the pitch.
Realistic Plans And With Hope For Future
There isn’t an expectation for Poland, going into Euro 2025, to progress out of the group — but that doesn’t in anyway dampen the hope and ambition. Many players just want to get points, and help create the tournament story for fans, and contribute to the future of Women’s football.
For many of the players, this tournament is not about results, just changing how we perceive women’s football. Women’s football in Poland hasn’t been showcased enough, but now they have new players and new leaders.
Final Thoughts: A New Beginning
Euro 2025 is a historical pivot point for Polish women’s football. What once was a dream in the beginning is now a statement: Poland belongs on this stage. They have head coach Nina Patalon who possesses the gift of Pajor and the charge of Kamczyk, and a group of players with ‘heart’, discipline and the will to act.
They are likely not going to win, but they will earn respect — which is where any revolution begins.
