ST GALLEN: Jule Brand and Lea Schuller scored second-half goals as Germany kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign with a dominant win over tournament debutants Poland in St Gallen.

Earlier in Group C Sweden beat Denmark in their Group C opener as Filippa Angeldahl struck the only goal.

Christian Wuck’s side, one of the pre-tournament dark horses, had almost 75pc possession in the first half, but for all their dominance it was goalless at the break.

Germany posed the bigger threat in front of goal with Brand and Giulia Gwinn both coming close though but Poland – ranked 24 places below them – defended resolutely and their West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik was impressive.

All eyes were on Poland’s Ewa Pajor, who was the leading scorer in Europe’s big five leagues with 25 goals and 10 assists for Barcelona in 2024.

The stadium erupted whenever she was on the ball and Pajor looked lively in both halves with four shots on goal, two of which were on target.

But Germany’s former Chelsea keeper Berger was equal to her efforts and Pajor could not find the goal she desperately craved to get her country off the mark.

There was a blow for Germany late in the first half when captain Gwinn left the field in tears after hurting herself making a crucial challenge to deny Ewa Pajor.

She initially tried to continue before being substituted.

Germany’s persistence paid off seven minutes into the second period when Wolfsburg forward Brand cut inside on the edge of the box before unleashing a stunning left-footed strike beyond Szemik and into the top corner.

She then turned provider for the Euro 2022 finalists as she picked out Schuller to head in Germany’s second in the 66th minute.

Captain Pajor was Poland’s brightest spark and had two big chances in the second half, but denied both times by keeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Nina Patalon’s team put in a performance to be proud of in their first experience of major tournament football and despite being outnumbered, the Polish supporters never stopped singing.

Germany play their second Group C match against Denmark in Basel on Tuesday before Poland face Sweden in Lucerne.

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