Euro 2016: Poland out to spoil Northern Ireland debut

Posted Sunday, June 12, 2016 by Asianage.com

Kyle Lafferty is at near fever pitch for Northern Ireland's debut at the European Championship finals on Sunday against Poland.

The thousands of fans arriving in Nice for the Group C game have a lot to celebrate.

It is also the first time Northern Ireland have appeared at a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

"I've never been so excited about a football match, it's the biggest international for everyone to date," said hotshot striker Lafferty.

"To score at a major tournament would be amazing," he added.

Key to avoiding defeat again on Sunday will be whether centre-backs Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans, both of Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, can stifle Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, Poland's top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals.

"If they can have a good night, they can keep Lewandowski quiet," Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn said.

Poland are desperate to improve on dismal performances at the last two European Championships in 2008 and 2012 which they co-hosted with Ukraine.

They limped out bottom of the group on both occasions.

With less burden on the 27-year-old Lewandowski, who scored 42 goals in 50 games for Bayern last season, many pundits and supporters fancy the 'Bialo-Czerwoni' (White and Reds) to reach the last 16 at least.

Northern Ireland's expectations are lower but their fans suspect Poland might be vulnerable if their minds are rather focused on the clash with Germany and their third Group C game with another neighbour, Ukraine.

Croatia take on Turkey

Meanwhile, the twinkle-toed talents of Luka Modric's Croatia and Turkey led by Arda Turan resume their European Championship rivalry on Sunday with both sides mindful of contests past.

The teams met at Euro 96 in England, Croatia winning 1-0 late on, and in qualifying for Euro 2012, when the Croats again prevailed. But it is their encounter at Euro 2008 that rekindles the strongest emotions.

A classy Croatian team took the lead through Ivan Klasnic in the penultimate minute of extra time in their quarter-final in Vienna, only for Semih Senturk to equalise in the second minute of stoppage time before the Turks won on penalties.

Said Croatia's Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic: "We have to focus on what can we do — not what our opponents can do — because we are really good and have great players."