Poland pick up first Women's Under-17 crown

Poland claimed their first UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship crown thanks to Ewelina Kamczyk's 15th-minute goal against Sweden.

Kamczyk's strike on the quarter-hour mark earned Poland their first UEFA title at any level since the country's U18 men prevailed 12 years ago and capped a fine campaign for the finals debutants before the event is expanded to eight teams later this year.

The first chance of the game went the way of Sweden eight minutes in. Buoyed by some vocal support from the stands, Stina Blackstenius burst into the penalty area from the right side and fired a shot against the upright with Poland goalkeeper Anna Okulewicz looking flat-footed.

Six minutes later, however, it was Poland who got the breakthrough as Dominika Dereń's long cross from the right was well-controlled by Kamczyk, who fired an unstoppable shot in on the turn.

Sweden twice went close through crosses that nearly caught Okulewicz by surprise before Poland ended the first half the stronger with star player Ewa Pajor causing havoc. Within the space of six minutes the player dubbed Poland's female Lionel Messi had a trio of chances after shaking off defenders – she fired narrowly wide each time.

She was nearly made to pay for those missed opportunities 16 minutes into the second half when Sweden hit the woodwork for the second time, Filippa Angeldal the unlucky player on this occasion as her effort from range bounced back off the crossbar.

Poland then hit the frame of the goal themselves moments later after Patrycja Michalczyk's powerful drive from a free-kick on the right side of the penalty area was pushed onto the underside of the bar by a relieved Emma Holmgren, the heroine of Sweden's penalty shoot-out success on Tuesday. Holmgren would have little to celebrate today, however, as Poland held on for a historic success.