Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland striker in Nice

"You don't go 12 games undefeated without having a bit of organisational skills and these Northern Ireland players have defended very well so far."

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Woods: Poland are my surprise package; reckon they'll reach the quarters, they've got firepower and a good balance in their squad

Aaron Hill: #POLNIR is like watching an attack v defence training session at the min with Poland having over 70% possession. Northern Ireland holding firm.

I must say the green and white army of Northern Ireland look splendid behind Wojciech Szczesny's goal. In fine voice as well.

Krzysztof Maczynski makes a weaving run from midfield but he's closed down by the Northern Ireland defence before he can take a shot. 

The pace has slowed a bit for now. 

Northern Ireland have composed themselves and they're trying to retain possession from the back.

Conor McLaughlin, of League One Fleetwood, and Craig Cathcart are holding their own, and Jonny Evans is trying to push forward. 

Rob Elmore: Poland have started off at a ferocious pace

I'm tired just watching it...

Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland striker in Nice

"Poland have over-lapping players who are putting crosses in too easily for me. There's a lot of pressure on Robert Lewandowski who has scored more goals than the whole Northern Ireland team but it takes more than one player to win a game."

Image source, Reuters

Artur Jedrzejczyk crosses in from the left to Arkadiusz Milik but again the Poland attacker can only scuff the ball towards goal.

As another ball is whipped in, Chris Baird chests it into the hands of his keeper.

Northern Ireland look like they've gone to a back five now. Poland certainly look hell bent on scoring early doors. 

Image source, Getty Images

Gerry Taggart
Former Northern Ireland captain in Nice

"It was on Milik's weaker foot but he should have connected with that. 

"Northern Ireland at the minute look very nervous."

Image source, Reuters

Blimey, Northern Ireland are having to weather the storm here. It's been an electric start for Poland. 

Jakub Blaszczykowski and Bartosz Kapustka are firing up the wings, and Arkadiusz Milik tries to scuff the ball home from inside the area, but it's blocked by the Northern Ireland defence. 

Image source, AP

Lukasz Piszczek whips the ball across from the right after making a pacy run up the wing, but it skims over various heads and goes out for a corner, which also comes to nothing.

Wojciech Szczesny comes out of his box for a wander again. Is he playing as a sweeper keeper?! Marvellous. 

Image source, EPA

Gareth McAuley goes in full pelt into Arkadiusz Milik, and Poland are awarded a free-kick wide on the right - from about 30 yards out.

But they can't get the ball into the box and it disappears down the other end.

Keeper Wojciech Szczesny comes steaming out of his penalty area and decides to head clear. Odd behaviour. 

Here we go!

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis gets us under way in Nice. Lovely sunny day out there, by the looks of it. 

Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland striker in Nice

"Thirty years is probably too long but I'm so proud of these boys with what they have achieved. Northern Ireland believe in themselves. Michael O'Neill has done a fabulous job and I now want them to get going and see what they can do."

Image source, Reuters

Gerry Taggart
Former Northern Ireland captain in Nice

"Northern Ireland topped their qualifying group and are here on merit. 

"The players have to believe they can cause upsets in this tournament."

A recap on the teams for this afternoon's game.

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has been on loan at Roma, starts for Poland along with prolific forward Robert Lewandowski.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Northern Ireland forward Kyle Lafferty starts despite suffering a groin injury in training earlier in the week. Is Michael O'Neill about to change his formation? The official team sheet in Nice has his team lining up 4-2-3-1.

We've ticked off mentions of Shakespeare, blokes with four kidneys, 30-year-old teddy bears and that Will Grigg fella.

Nearly time for some proper football. The players are lining up in the tunnel ready to get their campaigns under way.

Northern Ireland are the second smallest nation, in terms of population, at the tournament.

To quote Shakespere: though she be but little, she is fierce.

Poland midfielder Slawomir Peszko, once of Wolves, has four kidneys. 

Yes, it's true.

He was diagnosed with having duplex kidneys during a medical on joining Cologne in 2011. The condition affects one in every 5.5 million people. 

There's plenty more factoids like this if you click on this link. 

Image source, Getty Images