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Women’s football: Poland earn Euro 2025 spot with playoff win over Austria

03.12.2024 22:00
The Polish women's national football team has qualified for next year's European championships in Switzerland after defeating Austria 1-0 in a playoff in Vienna on Tuesday.
Poland captain Ewa Pajor (right) in action against Austria in Vienna on Tuesday.
Poland captain Ewa Pajor (right) in action against Austria in Vienna on Tuesday.Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki

Captain Ewa Pajor scored the winning goal in added time, sending Poland to the continental tournament for the first time, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

"This is an extraordinary moment," Pajor, a Barcelona player, said after the match.

"My dream and objectve has always been to advance to a major tournament with the Polish national team," she told broadcaster TVP Sport.

"Playing with the national eagle emblem on my chest is the greatest honour and pride," she added. "This is the happiest day of my career."

Poland needed a draw to earn a spot in the Euro 2025 tournament following their 1-0 win over the Austrian team in the first leg of their playoff on home soil in Gdańsk on Friday.

Poland are ranked 32nd worldwide by football's governing body FIFA, while Austria are No. 17 in the FIFA table.

In the first playoff stage, Poland defeated Romania, while Austria overcame Slovenia.

Poland have never before participated in the women's European championships. Coach Nina Patalon's squad will be one of 16 teams competing at Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

"We have all been waiting for this for a very long time," Pajor continued. "We set ourselves the goal of qualifying for the European championships when coach Nina Patalon took over the team three years ago."

She added: "I am incredibly moved, overjoyed and proud of this team. It is something beautiful."

Poland player Ewa Pajor. Poland player Ewa Pajor. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa

The Euro 2025 tournament will be played in Switzerland from July 2 to 27, featuring matches in eight cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Sion and Thun.

A group-stage draw will take place on December 16.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP