Germany beat Poland to get their revenge tour underway in admittedly slightly underwhelming fashion. With expectations high on the 2022 runners up ahead of this fixture, it took two moments of magic to see them past a resilient Poland side.
Germany were heavy favourites for both this game, and the tournament at large. After a great 2025 so far, they came into the game off the back of a 6-0 win in the UEFA Nations League over Austria. The same side that their opponents Poland saw past to meet them in their first major tournament.
Poland had nothing to lose and everything to gain. With no history nor expectation on their shoulders, they came into their debut game in a major tournament off the back of a 4-0 win over Ukraine in a friendly.
The Lineups:
Germany: Berger, Gwinn, Minge, Knaak, Linder, Senß, Nüsken, Brand, Dallmann, Bühl, Schüller
Poland: Szemik, Wiankowska, Dudek, Szymczak, Matysik, Pawollek, Padilla-Bidas, Kamczyk, Achcińska, Tomasiak, Pajor
The Action:
Poland were the first out the blocks, with an attempt within the first minute. After that quick start, Germany soon found their rhythm and usual dominance. Several heavy passes from the German wing looked to threaten the Poland box but were sent clear over the box. The first shot on goal came after the 20 minute mark. Jule Brand broke free into the box after a pass from midfield into her feet. The new Lyon forward found a gap but her shot was well saved by Kinga Szemik in the Poland goal. The resulting corner was also well caught by the West Ham and Poland number one.
Poland had a chance of their own after the saved corner. A pass down the centre found Natalia Padilla-Bidas breaking through on goal. With Ann-Katrin Berger off her line, she attempted the shot but scuffled it. The eventual attempt was seen out by Janina Minge before the offside flag saved Padilla-Bidas’ blushes.
Poland captain Ewa Pajor had her first real chance of the game in the 30th minute. Breaking through the Germany backline, she was one on one with Berger in goal. Berger got finger tips to the shot, but the offside flag once again flew up. Germany captain Guilia Gwinn was forced off before half time with an injury, with Germany playing on without their captain. Carlotta Wamser, the somewhat makeshift full-back, came on for her major tournament debut in her place.
Germany continued to dominate in every which way. Moments before half time, Lea Schüller saw herself in the centre of the box with a pass coming in. Unable to sort out her feet, the striker pushed it wide. The move that summed up the German first half very well.
The first real moment of attacking brilliance in the game came in the form of Brand’s opening goal. Collecting the ball from out wide, she brought it towards the box before unleashing an excellent strike for 1-0. It was going to take some doing to get past a resilient Poland backline and Brand delivered the magic.
Germany seemed to have found their normal selves after the goal. Yet, the side were still wasteful from a number of their chances as Klara Bühl and Schüller both sent shots wide. Pajor had a chance to pull Poland level. Breaking away from the backline, she dribbled into the box before shooting directly at Berger. A striker of her talent, you expect her to do better.
Not long after Germany made them pay the penalty as their 2-0 lead came from the head of Schüller. A perfectly weighted ball came in from Brand outside of the box finding an unmarked Schüller who saw it into the net for her first of the tournament. A strong header to give Germany some breathing room. Berger showed all her brilliance with an excellent save later in the half when Pajor looked certain to half the deficit with a header but the German number one expertly tipped the shot over the bar. And that would be all she wrote as Germany beat Poland.
Wasteful Germany beat Poland
Much of Germany’s first half can be described as wasteful. With 75% of possession and 10 shots, the side were not their usual selves we’ve seen in 2025. Many of their passes were too heavy into the box and easily missed their target. With players visibly frustrated as half time approached, it was clear the plan was not going as well as the side would have liked.
Whilst they were able to find the back of the net in the second half, Germany continued to lack the clinical side we saw in the Nations League. With wonder goals and great headers forced to mean they won the game, it was not an attacking performance that Germany would have wanted.
Strong defence from Poland
Despite Germany’s wasteful nature, much praise must be delivered to Poland. Both Emilia Szymzack and Paulina Dudek were consistently tight to Schüller, not allowing the prolific striker the space she thrives off. Their 4-1-4-1 formation was also a challenge for Germany to get around.
Despite changes in the backline in the second half with Dudek forced off at half time, Poland remained resolute and strong in defence. Even when the side conceded the first goal, their heads did not drop and they continued with their game plan. It was a performance the side can be proud of.
The Halfway Line’s Player of the Match: Emilia Szymczak
Whilst this should be awarded to Brand for her goal and assist, we are awarding the player of the match to Emilia Szymczak. The 19 year-old centre back was excellent throughout the game in Poland’s backline.
Her young age and inexperience were not on show at all. With several great interceptions and defensive moves, she was strong and steady, even when her defensive partner was forced to change in the second half. A bright defender for the future, it’s easy to see why she’s at giants Barcelona.
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
