The headlines for team Poland coming into this tournament were about if they could afford their flights. It was even the only thing the IIHF mentioned about Poland in their official preview. A political battle spilled into the public as the PZHL announced they did not have the funds to send the women’s national team to Japan for the final round of Olympic qualification. Laws had changed with how the government and federation cooperated financially. These changes led to the Japan trip being in jeopardy. While most of those I talked to in Poland never thought the trip was in serious danger, it still put the actual squad in a rough spot. It painted a picture to the outside world that the PZHL didn’t respect the women’s national team. Despite all the drama off the ice, could the national team put it behind them on the ice? 

The last time Poland made it to the final qualification round in 2022 was rough. They lost 11-1 to Hungary, 16-0 to Czechia, and 7-1 to Norway. This time, the goal was to see a more competitive Polish team, as they would face off with seventh-ranked Japan, twelfth-ranked China, and thirteenth-ranked France. Poland proved they deserved respect right away after a close battle with China. Most of the game would be tied at one a piece until China scored to open the third period. Poland got a late powerplay were Maja Brzezinska took advantage and tied it up. This one would head to overtime and then a shootout. Poland couldn’t score in the shootout, while Xin Fang scored a highlight reel goal for China to win. 

There is not too much to say about Poland’s next two games. In each game, they would give up six goals in the first period. For Japan, that would be all the goals they give up, as after Japan scored at the 18-minute mark, there would be no goals for the final 42 minutes. In their final game against France, Poland ran into a team that needed to run up the score. While France lost to Japan 7-1 to open the tournament, they still had a chance to advance to the Olympics if Russia was banned. The team with the best record in second place would take Russia’s spot. France would score a couple of late goals, leaving Poland with a bitter end and a 9-0 loss. 

The First Point 

For the first time in team history, Poland earned a point at the final round of Olympic qualification! They earned it with a hard-fought game versus twelfth-ranked China, and it seemed like, at times, they were going to win it in overtime. I liked what I saw from Poland on offense in this game: great cycling in the offensive zone and finding a way to get into high-danger areas. It was one of the best games I’ve seen from the women’s national team, and it’s crazy to see the growth of the squad in such a short time. Of course, the next two games showed how much of a gap there is still to close. 

Kept It Competitive

In 2022, Poland finished this tournament with a -32 goal differential, and they halved that total in 2025 with -16. While Japan could have scored more, this was still an excellent effort for team Poland. At time the red and white were too passive in their zone trying to read the play and then react, but France and Japan were much faster and more skilled. When you’re playing that way and just trying to guard the middle, top teams will always find a way to pick you apart eventually. I understand why Poland played the way it did, but it will still need to change as Poland rises up the ranks. 

What’s Next? 

The same final question as always: what is next? Poland will host the Division 2 Group A World Championship in April. Being relegated last year was shocking and disappointing, but Poland has put that behind them. D2A will have some easy games, but it won’t be a cakewalk as expect a strong challenge from a young and emerging Spain team. While Poland’s Olympic dreams end for now, it is not insane to think this women’s program could have a shot at picking up a final-round win at the 2030 qualifiers. That tournament is a long way away, but by then, Poland will be joined by some fantastic young talent starting to emerge after Poland’s first decade of competing at IIHF events. 

Quick Thoughts 

• Arkadiusz Sobecki and his staff have done a great job this year. All of his assistant coaches made their IIHF debuts in 2024, and it’s been a successful transition after last year got a bit messy. 
• Sass faced 139 shots in three games, averaging 46 per game. Early on versus Japan and France there was some rebound control issues; otherwise, she was fantastic in the net. She made some huge saves, especially against odd-player rushes. 
• Tatiana Onyshchenko was strong in the faceoff circle and finished with the third-best win percentage in the entire tournament. 
• Japan dominated the tournament, scoring 17 goals. They went zero for nine on the powerplay somehow.
• Poland has struggled to finish and shot 3.1% in the group. It is always something to monitor after the past few events where the results have been similar. 

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Thumbnail Photo via polskihokej.eu