Having secured qualification to their first ever major tournament, Poland will be desperate to make a memorable impression on the competition at Euro 2025.

However, this tournament may prove to be a challenging ordeal, as their lack of championship experience could be costly in crucial moments of key matches.

With Poland the second-lowest ranked team in the competition at 27th in the world, many expect them to struggle to compete with the quality of some of the key players of their rivals.

Despite these obstacles, Poland head into this tournament brimming with optimism, and they will be confident of making a statement against the established elite in Switzerland this summer.

The Manager: Nina Patalon

Nina Patalon has done a remarkable job in her first solo position in senior football, as she has transformed this Poland side from ignominy to competing with the very best.

She spent almost a decade coaching Poland’s youth teams before she became the first woman to coach Poland women’s team in 2021, and many of those players have advanced to the senior team under her guidance.

This means that they are familiar with playing under her tutelage, and that bond was vital to Poland’s qualification.

As the coach who took them to their first ever Euros, Patalon has already earned her place in folklore in Polish football, and she will now hope to confirm her place as a legend of the game by inspiring her nation to progress beyond the group stage.

However, her managerial inexperience threatens to derail Poland’s chances of success if it leads to poor tactical decisions in key moments.

Poland started their qualification campaign in Nations League A, although they had a poor run and finished with 0 points and six defeats from games against Germany, Iceland and Austria.

This saw them drop into the playoffs, and in the first round a dramatic 2-1 win in Bucharest left Poland poised to progress past Romania, and they finished the job with a resounding 4-1 at home to complete a 6-2 aggregate win.

That sent them through to the second round of the playoffs, where they would face Austria for a place in the tournament.

A goal from Natalia Padilla saw them take a 1-0 lead into the second leg in Vienna, where Poland had to defend desperately to maintain their advantage. They were able to hold out, and a last gasp winner from Ewa Pajor sparked wild celebrations as Poland secured their spot in Switzerland.

Player to Watch: Ewa Pajor

If Poland are to create headlines this summer, then they will likely require inspiration from captain talisman and all-time top goal scorer Ewa Pajor.

At club level, Pajor has had an outstanding debut season for FC Barcelona, scoring 43 goals across 46 appearances in all competitions as La Blaugrana secured a domestic double and reached the Champions League final.

If she can continue her scintillating form onto the international stage, then she may be able to inspire Poland to even more success.

Beyond her individual output, Pajor plays a major role in leading a Poland team which lacks major tournament experience, and her experience of playing in big matches will be vital if Poland are to succeed this summer.

Based on their previous fixtures, Poland will likely setup in the 4-3-3 system which guided them to Switzerland.

West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik will likely start in goal, behind a backline that includes PSG centre-back Paulina Dudek.

Eintracht Frankfurt Tanja Pawollek will provide vital stability and experience to the midfield, whilst Natalia Padilla and Paulina Tomasiak will provide pace and attacking threat on the wings either side of Ewa Pajor.

Szemik; Wiankowska, Dudek, Szymczak, Zieniewicz; Kamczyk, Pawollek, Achcińska; Padilla, Pajor, Tomasiak

Poland have been drawn in challenging group, as they take on Germany, Sweden and Denmark in Group C.

Match 1: vs Germany 4th July 20:00 (ITV1)

Match 2: vs Sweden 8th July 20:00 (BBC1)

Match 3: vs Denmark 12th July 20:00 (ITV)

Pre-Tournament Prediction

Having achieved their ambition to qualify for a first major tournament, Poland will consider this summer successful regardless of their results in Switzerland.

Whilst their lack of experience may cause them to suffer an early exit, Poland are more than capable of springing a surprise this summer.

Poland approach this tournament in fine form, as they are unbeaten in 2025, although they are yet to face any side who will be at the tournament this year.

They can also frustrate opponents, as in that playoff victory against Austria they showed their defensive solidity, which will make them tough to break down even for their loftier rivals.

With a talented squad full of players who are competing in top leagues, Poland will be hopeful of pulling off an upset. However, with Poland being the second lowest ranked side in the competition, anything other than elimination in the group stage would be a major surprise.