"After these European championships, I hope fans, journalists and everyone in Poland will believe in women’s football," Pajor said ahead of her team's do-or-die group-stage clash against Sweden.
Poland captain Ewa Pajor. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki
"We want to keep growing and inspire the little girls who, I hope, are watching our matches," she added.
Poland players, led by Pajor (centre), during a training session ahead of their Euro 2025 opener against Germany. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki
Poland on Friday lost 0-2 to Germany in their opening game at the continental tournament in Switzerland.
The game marked Poland's first-ever appearance at a women’s European championship.
Despite the loss, the match drew a crowd of 15,972 to Kybunpark Stadium in Sankt Gallen, nearly half of whom were Polish supporters, Poland's PAP news agency reported.
Public broadcaster TVP said nearly 2 million viewers watched the game on television, setting a national viewership record for a women's national team match.
Midfielder Adriana Achcińska said the passionate support helped the players feel like they were almost playing at home.
"I’m really happy to see things progressing so fast and that so many fans came from Poland," Achcińska said. "We could feel like we were playing on home turf. The cheering and singing of the national anthem gave us goosebumps."
Interest in women’s football in Poland has surged since the national team’s qualification for the tournament.
On June 3, Poland set a domestic attendance record when 10,685 fans attended a Nations League match against Romania in Gdańsk.
Despite their strong recent form, the defeat to Germany ended Poland’s 11-match unbeaten run.
Poland return to action on Tuesday against Sweden in their second match of the Euro 2025 group stage.
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Source: IAR, PAP