Kinga Szemik made history with Poland on Friday evening, starting in her country's first-ever match at a major tournament, but her side fell to a 2-0 loss against 2022 runners-up Germany in their opening UEFA Women’s Euro Group C fixture.
The West Ham United women’s team goalkeeper made four saves during the clash at AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland, but could not do anything about the two second-half goals that secured the three points for record-holders Die Nationalelf, who have won the tournament on eight occasions.
Following a goalless first half, a moment of magic from Jule Brand broke the deadlock on 52 minutes, with the Germany No22 firing an unstoppable left-footed shot into Szemik’s top-left corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Germany’s second came 14 minutes later. This time Brand turned provider, delivering a teasing cross that was headed home by Lea Schüller, who ghosted in at the back post.
Szemik’s side will hope to get off the mark in Group C when they face Sweden, who won the inaugural Women’s Euros in 1984, on Tuesday 8 July (kick-off 8pm BST) at Swissporarena, Lucerne.
With no Hammers in Euros action tomorrow (Saturday), attentions turn to Eva Nyström & Oona Siren’s Finland and Dagný Brynjarsdóttir’s Iceland who face Norway (5pm BST) and Switzerland (8pm BST) respectively on Sunday 6 July.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Irons left-back Inès Belloumou and Algeria get their Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign underway against Botswana at Stade Père Jégo in Casablanca, Morocco (8pm BST).
For more information about your Irons at this summer’s Euros, click HERE.
