Nina Patalon: ‘We play with heart and belief’

Nina Patalon became the first female coach in history to manage Poland Women’s national team when she took up the role in March 2021. She made further history when she led her nation to Euro 2025 qualification - the first time Poland qualified for a tournament. WSC caught up with Nina ahead of the competition...

WSC: Congratulations on leading Poland to their first ever tournament! As a Poland native, a former player, and someone who has been in the coaching set-up for the past 14 years, what does it mean to you to lead your country on the big stage?

NP: It’s an incredible honour. I always say: when you’re the first, you carry both a privilege and a responsibility.

I’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning – as a player, then as a youth coach, and now as the head coach. I know how far we’ve come. We didn’t just qualify; we built something brick by brick, year after year.

For me, this tournament is not the destination – it’s part of a process, a step toward something even bigger for Polish women’s football. But yes, it means a lot to me. I’m proud, grateful, and excited – and also focused. Because I know how much more is still ahead of us.

WSC: Knowing that you are perhaps an underdog at the tournament – what’s your approach? How do you intend to balance how your team plays and how you assert yourselves in games while considering how to set up to counteract how your opponents’ play?

NP: Being the underdog can be a strength. Our approach is not to be afraid – not of mistakes, not of strong opponents. We want to play with courage, intelligence and energy.

Of course, we analyse our rivals thoroughly – Germany, Sweden, Denmark, these are football powerhouses – but we also want to make sure we don’t lose our identity. It’s about finding the right balance between adaptation and expression.

We’ve learned a lot in the last few years, and this group has grown through both difficult moments and big wins. That gives us strength.