Germany 2 Poland 0
July 4 – With second-half goals, Germany laboured to a 2-0 victory against debutants Poland in Group C in St Gallen, but lost their captain Gulia Gwinn to injury.
It was not the statement victory they had been looking for, but following a first half full of frustrations and an injury to the team captain Germany came good with a classy 52nd-minute goal from Jule Brand that set Christian Wuck’s team on their way to a 2-0 win and the three points.
On the touchline, Wuck cut a frustrated figure for much of the evening. He had talked up Germany’s presence and chances at these finals but when his team had to deliver they did not match expectations. Perhaps they felt the weight of Spain’s 5-0 win against Portugal or perhaps they were not as good as they had led everyone to believe?
Of course, Poland’s discipline and resistance platformed the team’s competitiveness. On paper, the match was David versus Goliath: the record eight-time European champions against the debutants, the title contenders against the number 27 on the world ranking, but the newcomers held their own, defending deep and keeping their shape. Central defenders Paulina Dudek and Emilia Szymczak excelled in the first half.
Germany had the upper hand but failed to be incisive in the final third. It took the Germans until the midway point of the first half to fashion danger. Holding off two Polish defenders, Jule Brand’s low drive to the near post tested Kinga Szemik. It was their best opportunity. Lea Schuller, twice, lacked precision when the ball dropped at her mercy inside the box.
Germany were not clicking, as Poland maintained their discipline, getting their positioning right and using their speed on the counter to seek out star striker Ewa Pajor.
At times, the German defence, which played a high line, looked vulnerable. In a blow, captain Gulia Gwinn, at right back, limped off moments after her sliding tackle had prevented Pajor from getting her shot away. She dissolved into tears and had to be helped off the pitch. Previously in her career, Germany’s number seven suffered torn cruciate ligaments in both knees.
With Wuck irate, Germany returned from the dressing room much snappier and Brand delivered salvation with a beautiful curler which traveling at 91.3 kilometres per hour left the Polish goalkeeper with no chance. It was hard on Poland, but at last their resistance had been broken. Not Pajor. Twice, she came close to Poland’s first-ever goal at the European championship but twice Germany’s number one stood in her way. If anything, she exposed Germany’s fragility at the back.
Poland tired and, liberated, Germany played with more pace. They mounted an aerial bombardment and Lea Schuller doubled the lead with a free header in the 66th minute. The goal had becoming after both Schuller and Sjoeke Nusken had missed from close range.
Wuck barely sat down but at least Germany were much improved after the pause. It was Germany’s third consecutive win against Poland, but their opponents had asked plenty of questions. Denmark are up next for Germany.
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