As the sun set over Cologne, Euro 2025 witnessed the reawakening of a familiar force. Eight-time champions Germany launched their campaign with an authoritative 2-0 victory over Poland, reminding Europe why they remain a perennial powerhouse in women’s football.
Lea Schüller and Jule Brand scored in each half, but the scoreline barely scratched the surface of Germany’s dominance. From start to finish, Horst Hrubesch’s side displayed superior organization, creativity, and tempo, offering fans a glimpse of what could be a title-contending run.
For Poland, despite the defeat, there were moments of resilience. But ultimately, the difference in experience, quality, and composure on the ball proved too much against a German team eager to erase the memories of their 2022 final defeat to England.
Early Dominance Schüller Opens the Account
From the opening whistle, Germany looked intent on asserting their authority. Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd of 44,000 at RheinEnergieStadion, the hosts immediately settled into a high-pressing, possession-oriented rhythm.
Sara Däbritz and Lena Oberdorf controlled the midfield with a metronomic presence, while the wide threats of Jule Brand and Svenja Huth kept the Polish fullbacks pinned in their half.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute. A quick one-two between Klara Bühl and Marina Hegering opened space on the left. Bühl’s low cross was met by Lea Schüller, who, with a striker’s instinct, timed her run to perfection and calmly slotted the ball past Polish goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek.
It was Schüller’s 37th international goal, and it capped a blistering opening quarter that set the tone for what followed.
Poland’s Struggles A Game of Chasing Shadows
While Poland entered the tournament with optimism under head coach Nina Patalon, they quickly found themselves on the back foot. Their 4-4-2 shape, designed to frustrate and absorb, was routinely pulled apart by Germany’s movement and passing triangles.
Polish midfielders Dominika Grabowska and Sylwia Matysik were overrun, with little support to feed forward passes to talismanic striker Ewa Pajor. The Wolfsburg forward, playing on familiar soil, was isolated for much of the match, often forced to drop deep just to get a touch.
Their only notable first-half chance came in the 34th minute when Pajor chased down a long ball and unleashed a speculative strike from 25 yards. It was comfortably saved by Merle Frohms, who remained largely untroubled for most of the evening.
Germany in Control Brand Doubles the Advantage
If the first half showcased Germany’s control, the second half demonstrated their ability to adapt and kill games off. Hrubesch introduced Lina Magull shortly after the break, bringing added composure in central areas.
The tempo briefly dipped, but the quality didn’t. In the 62nd minute, Germany struck again.
Jule Brand, who had been electric down the right, finally got her reward. Collecting a clever switch of play from Däbritz, she cut inside her defender and unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box. The ball took a slight deflection off Paulina Dudek and flew into the far corner, leaving Kiedrzynek with no chance.
At 2-0, the match was essentially done, not due to lack of time but because of Germany’s suffocating control and discipline. They pressed as a unit, recovered second balls with ease, and moved with synchronization that comes only from a well-drilled squad.
Tactical Breakdown Germany’s Engine Roars
Germany’s system on the night was a fluid 4-3-3 that morphed into a 4-2-3-1 in transitions. Oberdorf and Däbritz were central to everything, acting as the pivot and progressive link, respectively. Their passing range helped Germany bypass Poland’s midfield block consistently.
Hrubesch’s decision to start Brand and Bühl on opposite flanks paid dividends. Both wingers not only provided width but regularly inverted into central zones, creating overloads that Poland simply couldn’t contain.
Defensively, Marina Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich marshaled the backline with confidence, snuffing out rare Polish breaks and winning aerial duels with authority.
In contrast, Poland’s flat 4-4-2 lacked imagination in buildup and couldn’t break Germany’s press. Their wide players were pinned back, and Pajor was deprived of service throughout.
Player of the Match Jule Brand
While Lea Schüller’s opener set Germany on their way, it was Jule Brand who dazzled throughout the match.
The 22-year-old Hoffenheim winger was relentless — combining pace, dribbling, vision, and goal threat in equal measure. Her duel with Polish full-back Natalia Padilla was one-sided, and her ability to cut inside and link up with the midfield was central to Germany’s fluidity.
Post-match, Brand humbly deflected praise:
“It’s always special to score in a European Championship, especially in front of home fans. But this was a team performance. We’ve worked hard for months, and it’s great to see it come together.”
What They Said
-
Horst Hrubesch (Germany Head Coach)
“We prepared for this moment. We respect Poland a lot — they have dangerous players — but we stuck to our plan. I’m happy with the control we showed, and of course, the three points.”
-
Nina Patalon (Poland Head Coach)
“Germany are a top side. We struggled to impose ourselves, but we’ll learn and come back stronger. There are still two games to go. The group isn’t over.”
-
Ewa Pajor (Poland Captain)
“We knew it would be difficult, but we didn’t create enough. I hope we can fix things and show our true level in the next match.”
Group B Outlook Germany in Pole Position
Germany’s win places them at the top of Group B, ahead of France and Austria, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day. With a commanding goal difference and momentum, Germany will enter their next fixture against Austria full of confidence.
Poland, meanwhile, face an uphill battle. Their next clash with France will be crucial. A second loss would likely spell elimination, but a win could revive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
The Long Game Germany’s Title Intentions
For Germany, Euro 2025 is about more than just redemption — it’s about reasserting dominance. After falling short in the 2022 final and suffering a disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign, the DFB has placed significant emphasis on rebuilding.
Under Hrubesch, the team has reconnected with its core identity: efficiency, tactical maturity, and strong leadership. But unlike German teams of old, this squad boasts creative flair in abundance, especially through players like Brand, Bühl, and Magull.
Key to their title push will be managing expectations, maintaining squad rotation, and keeping stars like Schüller and Oberdorf fit throughout a demanding tournament.
Also Read:
