Sweden Prepares for Tactical Showdown Against Poland with Focus on Ewa Pajor
Sweden to face Poland in Euro 2025 with a strong focus on Ewa Pajor's threat.
Key Points
- • Ewa Pajor is a critical player for Poland, having scored 43 goals this season.
- • Sweden aims to restrict Pajor's space during counterattacks.
- • The match is pivotal for both teams after Poland's loss to Germany.
- • Sweden is historically undefeated against Poland in their previous encounters.
As the tension mounts for the upcoming Euro 2025 match between Sweden and Poland, all eyes are on Polish striker Ewa Pajor, who is recognized as a significant threat to Sweden's chances. Set to kick off at 21:00 on July 8, this crucial Group Stage match comes after Poland's disappointing 2-0 loss to Germany, intensifying their need for a strong performance against Sweden, who are favorites in this encounter.
Ewa Pajor, 28, has had a remarkable season with FC Barcelona, scoring 43 goals in 46 matches across all competitions. The Swedish defense acknowledges her prowess, with defender Magdalena Eriksson describing Pajor as "the most in-form striker in the world" and emphasizing the necessity of limiting her offensive opportunities. Eriksson and fellow teammate Linda Sembrant are strategizing on how to contain Pajor, particularly during counterattacks, to mitigate her influence on the game.
Sweden's strategy is to keep Pajor under pressure and restrict her space, something that could prove pivotal for their defensive game plan. As noted by Eriksson, the fight will be about keeping Pajor from thriving in open play, which she excels at; thus, it’s crucial for the defense to operate cohesively and be physically assertive in their approach.
Sweden comes into the match with a perfect record against Poland, having won all eight previous encounters, including their last meeting in qualifiers. The team recently secured a 1-0 victory over Denmark in their opening Euro match, and assistant coach Magnus Wikman stressed the importance of not underestimating Poland, given their struggles.
In terms of player fitness for Sweden, there are ongoing uncertainties regarding Fridolina Rolfö's readiness as she recovers from a foot injury. However, she has reportedly trained fully, which could mean her potential return. Conversely, Magdalena Eriksson's availability remains in doubt due to an overload injury sustained earlier in the tournament. The match against Poland is critical for Sweden's aspirations, as a win would solidify their path to the quarter-finals depending on the outcomes of other matches in the group.
As the clock ticks down to the match, Sweden’s players are bracing for the challenge, fully aware of the task that lies ahead against Poland's dynamic attacking threat led by Pajor.