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Poland’s unbeaten run lasted exactly 623 minutes in official competitions. The team coached by Marcin Kasprowicz controlled possession, dominated territory, and put up a very strong display at the Grbavica Stadium in Sarajevo. However, football does not always reward the dominant team, and the Polish wall fell in the cruelest way possible: with an own goal from centre-back Iga Witkowska in the 83rd minute that gave Sweden a 1-0 victory.
With this result, Sweden join Germany at the top of Group A on this opening matchday. The two continental giants both have three points and take an early advantage in the race for the two semifinal spots, while Poland are left with a very bitter taste and the pressure to score in the remaining two games.
Poland propose, Sweden resist
From the opening whistle, Poland took the initiative. Far from sitting back against the three-time champions, the Polish side took control of the midfield with intelligent passing and a counter-pressing system that choked Sweden’s play.
Despite accumulating attacks and controlling the tempo in the opposition half, Poland struggled to turn their territorial dominance into clear goalscoring opportunities. The Swedish goalkeeper and her defensive line held firm against crosses and combinations from Oliwia Związek. Sweden, aware of the physical and positional superiority of their opponents, were forced to sit deep and rely on quick transitions.
The sides went into the break level at 0-0, a scoreline that left better feelings in the Polish camp but kept the game wide open.
Misfortune in the 83rd minute
In the second half, the pattern continued. Poland kept monopolizing the ball and pressing for the opener. However, fatigue and Annelie Norén’s substitutions stretched the Swedes slightly.
In the 83rd minute, in one of Sweden’s few quick transitions in the second half, the Swedish defence launched a direct counter-attack. The move ended with a hard shot on target that Polish goalkeeper Julia Woźniak managed to parry away with difficulty. However, luck turned its back on the Polish team: the rebound hit defender Iga Witkowska as she tried to clear the ball off the line, and it ended up in her own net.
A massive punishment for a Poland side that had done more than enough to go ahead. Despite desperate late attempts by Kasprowicz’s side to send long balls into the box, Sweden closed ranks to defend a golden opening victory in the European Championship.
Match sheet
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Sweden (1): Official lineup pending shirt number confirmation.
Coach: Annelie Norén. -
Poland (0): Woźniak; Piekarska, Bartczak, Witkowska, Flis (62’ Przybył); Zielińska, Sobierajska, Witek; Araśniewicz, Wyrwas (76’ Zgoda), Związek (62’ Świrska).
Coach: Marcin Kasprowicz. -
Goals: 1-0 Witkowska (83’, own goal).
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Venue: Grbavica Stadium, Sarajevo.
