Summary

  • NI beaten in first game of Euro 2016

  • Milik's low drive earns victory for Poland

  • Germany v Ukraine later in Group C

  • Croatia beat Turkey 1-0 in Group D

  1. Poland's danger manpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    Northern Ireland enter Euro 2016 having not conceded in 271 minutes, but they've got a tough test ahead of them today as they try to stop the one-man goal machine that is Robert Lewandowski. 

    The 27-year-old Bayern Munich striker scored a joint-record 13 goals in qualifying, equalling the previous best tally held by ex-Northern Ireland striker David Healy. 

    And as a team Poland have scored a qualifying-high 33 goals.

    I'll eat my hat if this game's 0-0.

    Robert LewandowskiImage source, .
  2. How Poland got herepublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    Poland finished as runners-up in their qualification group with six wins and three draws from their 10 games.

    They finished top scorers in qualifying with 33 goals - 13 by Robert Lewandowski. More on him later.

    It is their third successive European Championship finals but they are yet to win a game. They finished bottom on both previous occasions, including at Euro 2008, which they co-hosted.

    Poland celebrateImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Down in one.

  3. Trouble in Nicepublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    This photo was taken after trouble occurred in Nice last night, ahead of today's game.

    For the latest updates on the situation across France, click here.

  4. Uefa warns England & Russia over expulsionpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 12 June 2016
    Breaking

    Breaking news away from this game... 

    Uefa has released a statement saying that Russia and England could be thrown out of Euro 2016 if their fans are involved in more violence.

    The Uefa executive committee said in a statement it has warned both countries that on top of any sanctions over trouble in Marseille this weekend, "it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFU), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again."

    .Image source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    Whilst scouring the archives for photos from the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 - the last major tournament involving Northern Ireland - I found this absolute belter.

    The scoreboard against Brazil listed all the players with first names instead of surnames.

    Beautiful.

    Northern Ireland teamImage source, PA
  6. Get involvedpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    #bbceuro2016

    Come on then, Poland and Northern Ireland fans.

    Tell us where you are and how you're watching your team's opening game. Bonus point for pictures.

    Tweet us on #bbceuro2016, external

    .Image source, .
  7. Road to the Eurospublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    Northern Ireland are in the Euros for the first time in their history - and it's been quite a journey for Michael O'Neill's men.

    Few would have given the nation much hope of reaching the finals, after a dismal qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in which O'Neill's men lost to Luxembourg and could not beat Azerbaijan.  

    But they topped their Euro qualifying group ahead of Romania to reach a first major tournament in 30 years.

    And they are currently 12 games unbeaten, a new national record, and no country competing at Euro 2016 has a longer unbeaten run.

    .Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill got the dreaded bumps after his side beat Greece to qualify for the Euros.

  8. Sea of greenpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Lyle Jackson
    BBC Sport NI at Stade de Nice

    It is a beautiful warm, sunny day in Nice and thousands of Northern Ireland fans have been soaking up the rays and the pre-atmosphere.

    Northern Ireland supporters at Euro 2016
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland supporters in Nice before the match against Poland

  9. Postpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 12 June 2016

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    What's better than Sunday afternoon football?

    Nothing. Absolutely nothing. 

    So kick back and let us guide you through match number six at Euro 2016 - Northern Ireland v Poland is coming up at 17:00 BST.

    Northern Ireland fansImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 15:00

    Northern Ireland v Poland (17:00 BST)

    The last time Northern Ireland were at a major tournament they looked like this...

    Northern IrelandImage source, Rex Features

    Thirty years on, they look a bit like this...

    Northern IrelandImage source, Getty Images

    Can the Northern Ireland Class of 2016 go one better than Sammy McIlroy, Norman Whiteside et al and make it out of the group stage?

    Time to find out...