Women’s Euro 2025: Injury to Germany captain mars win over Poland

Germany started their Women’s European Championship campaign in fine style as they eased to a 2-0 win over Poland.

The eight-time winners dominated the first half without scoring, but second-half goals from Jule Brand and Lea Schuller made sure of the points for the side beaten by England in the final three years ago.

However, it was something of a pyrrhic victory for Germany, whose captain Giulia Gwinn had to be helped off the pitch in tears late in the first half following a challenge with Ewa Pajor.

Brand opened the scoring in St Gallen seven minutes into the second half when she curled into the top-left corner from the edge of the area.

And 14 minutes later Brand teed up Schuller to double the lead with a close-range header.

Poland captain Pajor was twice denied by fine saves from Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger, ensuring Poland were never able to threaten a dramatic comeback.

Denmark 0-1 Sweden

Sweden were less convincing in seeing off fellow Scandinavians Denmark in Geneva.

Denmark appeared to have an early penalty when Madelen Janogy handled in the area, only for VAR to determine she had been fouled prior to her infringement.

Sweden’s Filippa Angeldahl saw a free-kick kept out by a stunning save from Maja Ostergaard, but there was nothing the Denmark goalkeeper could do to prevent Angeldahl from firing into the far corner after a neat one-two with skipper Kosovare Asllani 10 minutes into the second half.

Pernille Harder struck the crossbar for Denmark, while Stina Blackstenius saw a close-range shot cleared off the line at the other end, though Angeldahl’s solitary goal ultimately proved to be enough.