Date: 12th June 2016 at 9:00am
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Northern Ireland face Poland in Nice on Sunday knowing this will be the nation’s first major international tournament for 30 years.

The Green and White Army topped their group in qualifying – the first-ever fifth seed team to do so in European qualification – after suffering only one defeat at the hands of Romania. Of the 24 qualified teams, they have the best record coming into the tournament and have the longest unbeaten run of any nation.

Michael O’Neill’s men have remained unbeaten for over a year, with a run stretching back to March 2015. The national side have risen to their highest ever FIFA World ranking, 25th, and confidence is sky high.

Poland, who also suffered only one defeat, finished second in their group after narrowly missing out by a point to Germany, who claimed top spot. The Poles did manage to defeat the current world champions 2-0 in qualifying and they have been regarded as one of the dark horses for this year’s tournament in France.

The White and Reds were the highest team in qualifying with 33 goals. Their target man, Robert Lewandowski, was the top goalscorer during the qualifying campaign with 13 goals in ten games.

Lewandowski’s tally equals the previous record set by former Northern Ireland forward David Healy during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The Poles have failed to record a win in their last two European Championships as they have exited the tournament at the group stage on both occasions, including their joint host of the 2012 tournament.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

EURO 2016 is Northern Ireland’s first-ever European Championships – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Team News:

Poland winger, Kamil Grosicki, is a major doubt for the game after he suffered an ankle injury in the 0-0 friendly draw with Lithuania.

Manager Adam Nawalka will have something to think about as the Poles are already missing Maciej Rybus and Pawel Wszolek, who both pulled out of the squad through injury.

Kyle Lafferty is the only injury concern for Northern Ireland. The forward scored seven goals in qualifying for his country – more than any of his teammates – but sustained a groin injury in training. Although, he is expected to be fit in time for the opening Group C clash.

FIFA World ranking: Poland 27th; Northern Ireland 25th
Best European Championship Finish: Poland – Group Stage (2008 & 2012); Northern Ireland – First-ever appearance at the European Championships
Previous Meeting: Poland 1-1 Northern Ireland (September 5, 2009 – World Cup Qualifier)
Form: Poland – WWWWLD; Northern Ireland DWDWWD
Key Men: Poland – Robert Lewandowski; Northern Ireland – Kyle Lafferty
Shoot Says: Poland 2-0 Northern Ireland

 
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