Ever been so excited that you have burst into tears?

Northern Ireland fan Zak McGall, 10, from Ballymena, was given tickets by his father the day before they played Ukraine.

A film of his response reached striker Kyle Lafferty, who arranged a call from squad members to Zak to wish him a happy birthday.

Just imagine Zak's reaction should Northern Ireland beat Germany?

Image source, Getty Images

Germany right-back Joshua Kimmich may only be winning his second cap but this XI oozes international experience. The world champions have fielded a team which average over 50 caps a man.

And Thomas Muller (32) and Mario Gomez (27) have both scored more international goals than the entire Northern Ireland XI...

Coverage is about to start now on BBC One and at the top of this page. Here is former Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon preparing for his Match of the Day appearance...

Don't forget you can watch both of this afternoon's matches on the BBC.

It is as you were for Northern Ireland and why wouldn't it be after such a superb win in their last outing.

Niall McGinn's late goal against Ukraine isn't enough to seal him a starting place, he will have to make do with maybe making an impact from the bench again.

Captain Steven Davis has been instrumental in Northern Ireland's good work and will again be integral from his central position.

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Germany elect to use a recognised striker in Mario Gomez, meaning Mario Gotze will not be the player trusted to play furthest forward as he has been on times in this tournament.

Gomez has not played a tournament game for Germany since Euro 2012 as he was left out of the World Cup squad. He's in for Julian Draxler, while Joshua Kimmich is the other change from their draw with Poland.

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BBC Radio 5 Live

Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Brunt, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "We've got to go out and try and get something from the game.

"The lads will want to grind out a result exactly the way we did against Ukraine.

"It's going to be really tough for the lads but that's why we are here. We want to test ourselves against these players.

"We can't afford to go too gung-ho in case we lose a few goals, but I'm sure we've got a game plan and are capable of getting something from the game."

Gerry Taggart
Former Northern Ireland captain on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Michael O'Neill is going to keep it the same as much as he can. Go out and have a go at the Germans.

Germany haven't exactly cut this tournament apart. Northern Ireland beat Ukraine playing the style of football we're used to seeing them play, so I don't see any reason to change that tonight.

Image source, Reuters

French police broke up a fight between Polish fans in Marseille and detained two of them ahead of the final Euro 2016 group stage match against Ukraine. 

Thousands of Polish supporters swarmed through the narrow streets of the city's Old Port district, drinking, chanting and letting off smoke bombs before the match. 

Poland need a draw to be absolutely certain of their place in the knockout phase

Image source, AP

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Northern Ireland will be hoping for a little inside information at the Parc des Paris.

For the head groundsman at the home of Paris St-Germain is none other than Jonathan Calderwood from County Antrim...and he's a huge NI fan.

"For Northern Ireland to be playing Germany on my pitch...it doesn't get any better," says Calderwood.

"It's like a dream come true."

Click here to listen to his full story

Ukraine's record at the European Championship is...awful.

In 2012 when they were co-hosts with opponents Poland, they were knocked out in the group stages and four years later, they've suffered the same fate.

Since winning their first game at a Euros (2-1 against Sweden in 2012) they have lost four successive matches in the tournament without scoring a single goal.

The legendary Andriy Shevchenko scored twice in that match. I'm sure he could still do a job for them if he laced his boots up.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Northern Ireland youth boss Kenny Shiels, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "What surprises me is that everybody is surprised. Why are they surprised that Northern Ireland are on the verge of qualifying for the next stage? I don't understand that at all."

Unsurprisingly, Northern Ireland are unchanged from the side that started the 2-0 win over Ukraine last Thursday.

This includes seven wins and six draws.

Image source, Getty Images

Jens Lehmann was still playing the last time Northern Ireland faced Germany in 2005.

The venue was Windsor Park and David Healy fired NI ahead from the penalty spot after Robert Huth had been sent off in the friendly.

The lead lasted two minutes with Germany running out 4-1 winners thanks to goals by Gerald Asamoah, Michael Ballack (2) and Lukas Podolski.

Let's hope there is no repeat scoreline in Paris.

Image source, EPA

Just under an hour to kick-off and there are more Northern Ireland fans inside the ground than Germans.

Green wigs, green face paint and green shirts everywhere.

Image source, Reuters

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller is yet to start firing in this tournament so far and he hasn't actually produced at the Euros for a while now.

This comes after netting 10 goals and providing six assists in 13 World Cup games.

Image source, Reuters

Mario Gomez is recalled to Germany's starting line-up along with Joshua Kimmich.

Full team news coming up.

Question to World Cup winner Mats Hummels: Is the German defence terrified because Will Grigg is on fire?

Answer: "It would be nice if that were true. But it is not."

Germany's pre-match news conference on Monday was entertaining to say the least.

Defender Hummels was also asked to sing the Will Grigg song but replied: "I'm the worst singer in the squad so I shouldn't do that."

He added: "It's impressive that one tenth of Northern Ireland is here to support them. That would be hard for Germany to do."