The Polish women’s football team is set to commence their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign with a highly anticipated match against Northern Ireland on February 21, 2025. The match will take place at 20:45 at the Polsat Plus Arena located in Gdańsk, Poland.
This fixture marks the beginning of the competition for both teams, with Poland vying for advancement back to Division A after suffering relegation. Coach Nina Patalon and her squad are determined to build on their impressive recent form, having achieved victories in four of their last five outings, including wins over Romania and Austria.
“The opening match against Northern Ireland is of significant importance as we aim to confirm our position as favorites in Group B,” stated Patalon. “Our previous experiences against the strongest teams have helped us grow and capitalize on our strengths.”
On the other hand, Northern Ireland enters this match following disappointments, including their unsuccessful bid to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2024. The team previously faced Norway, losing the playoff matches decisively. Their recent games have included notable wins against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcasing potential, though they grapple with defensive issues.
Patalon highlighted, “Northern Ireland has immense potential when it concerns physical aspects. They play with high intensity and their players possess international experience. Having competed at Euro 2022, they have developed offensive strategies, which will undoubtedly make this match exciting.”
This contest not only serves as the team's opening to the UEFA competition but also acts as part of their preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the European Championship set for the summer of 2025. Poland is placed in Group C alongside Germany, Denmark, and Sweden for the championship.
Poland last faced Northern Ireland three times, securing victories each time with decisive scorelines of 3-0, 4-0, and 2-0 from 2013 to 2015. These historic wins boost Poland's confidence going forward, especially with star players like Ewa Pajor from FC Barcelona leading the charge. Pajor has excelled this season, netting multiple goals and assisting her teammates, adding depth to Poland's attacking capabilities.
“The time for mistakes is over. Last year, every match we played was against the best teams in Europe. We learned to rely on each other during difficult times and emerged stronger as Unity,” noted player Ewelina Kamczyk. “We are ready to put our training to the test and aim for success.”
The match will be broadcasted live on TVP Sport, and fans can also catch the action streaming on the sport.tvp.pl website and the TVP Sport application. This allows viewers to enjoy the match both on television and through digital devices, ensuring fans do not miss any moment of the thrilling encounter.
Tickets for the game range from 10 to 30 PLN, available online or at the stadium on the match day. Having Gdańsk as the home ground offers Polish players excellent support, as they look to capitalize on their home advantage.
Overall, the stakes are high for this matchup. With Poland aiming to re-enter Division A and Northern Ireland striving to solidify their team identity and performance, fans can expect not just competitive football but also dynamic action. The encounter is anticipated to be both entertaining and significant for both sides as they set the tone for their Group B campaigns.