Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

No doubting how big an occasion this is for the Northern Ireland players, but from their warm-up the home squad look relaxed.

The substitutes in particular were enjoying themselves during a game of keep ball, with them now moving on to a shooting drill.

The players in the starting 11 look lively as well. Hopefully it's a good sign!

Jack Tanner: I wonder if Hamsik might be a bit rusty early on - he's not played since Slovakia's games last month.

Legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings says he "could not have written the script" as his side secured a 0-0 draw with England at Wembley to reach the 1986 World Cup.

Billy Bingham's men made it back-to-back finals by qualifying for Mexico and Jennings was the hero as he made numerous saves in the crunch November 1985 qualifier.

"I think in all the years I had played against England at Wembley we only ever won once, but we got the point that we needed that night to qualify," he said.

Shocking Italy after the 'Battle of Belfast'. Gerry Armstrong's goal against Israel. Pat Jennings' heroics denying England at Wembley. And, of course, the Steven Davis-inspired win over Greece.

Northern Ireland supporters will be hoping for more of the same against Slovakia in tonight's Euro 2020 play-off final.

As Ian Baraclough's men aim to create history by reaching a second consecutive finals, we take a look back at the four previous crunch qualifiers which Northern Ireland have won to go through to major tournaments - and hear from some of the key players involved.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

You can already hear the Northern Ireland fans at Windsor Park. They're going to give the team a real lift aren't they?

Image source, BBC Sport

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough wants the 1,060 fans in Windsor Park to "go home hoarse" after tonight's game.

"It just gives the player that little lift, a sense of normality," he said.

"We want to create a noise and for fans to go home hoarse, but with a smile on their faces.

"And that's up to us - we have the responsibility of lifting a nation. Having 1,060 there adds to that occasion.

"We had 600 fans in Windsor Park for the Austria game and we now have more for this match so it will increase the noise."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI reporter

It's winner takes all. All or nothing. Win or bust.

Throw whatever cliché you want at tonight's Euro 2020 play-off final but it can't sum up the magnitude of the achievement that awaits either Northern Ireland or Slovakia.

The faces and personalities in Ian Baraclough's NI squad are well known but what about the opposition?

Ahead of "the game of the year", BBC Sport speaks to Slovakian football journalist Lukas Vrablik about their chances of making it to the finals next summer at the expense of Northern Ireland.

Read more here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis says his side must play to their strengths and is feeling confident about what he believes is a "very winnable match".

"They have quality, technical players and will look to have a lot of possession, but if we play the way we know we can then I believe we can cause them problems," he said.

We asked you to name your Northern Ireland's starting XI and you've got it bang on!

The attack-minded 4-3-3 formation was used by the majority of voters and Jonny Evans was the most selected player - with some 96% of you featuring the Leicester City man in your team.

Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell gets the nod between the sticks, while you selected a pretty conventional Northern Ireland back four. Evans and Craig Cathcart line up in the heart of defence while left-back Jamal Lewis and the versatile Stuart Dallas will guard the flanks.

With Corry Evans' injured, the midfield trio of Paddy McNair, George Saville and evergreen captain Steve Davis were relatively unchallenged for their respective start berths.

The forward line was the most keenly-contested area of selection, with 62% of you saying that Josh Magennis should lead the line tonight.

Image source, BBC Sport

Peter: GAWA!!

Slovakia are without a win in five games while Northern Ireland's recent record is not great either having lost six of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

However, the focus has always been on reaching the Euros and the shootout win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in last month's play-off semi-final has galvanised the squad.

There will be 1,060 fans at Windsor Park to cheer on Ian Baraclough's men tonight.

Image source, BBC Sport

Another famous night...

Northern Ireland qualified for their maiden World Cup in 1958 after beating Italy 2-1 at Windsor Park.

Jimmy McIlroy opened the scoring before Wilbur Cush added the second goal which helped Peter Doherty's men to the finals in Sweden.

Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis says beating Slovakia to make next year's Euros would be a major boost for the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It's a difficult time for many people - hopefully we can put a smile on their face," said the Rangers midfielder.

"It would give them something to look forward to off the back of what has been a difficult year so far."

With his iconic mohawk and classic style, Marek Hamsik stands out from the crowd before you even mention his footballing ability. As it turns out, he is pretty handy on the pitch and is Slovakia's leader and talisman.

At 33 he may now have passed his peak, but make no doubt about it, the former Napoli man is still a world class player. He recently became Slovakia's top goalscorer.

Image source, BBC Sport

Milan Skriniar missed the semi-final against the Republic of Ireland and subsequent Nations League defeats after testing positive for coronavirus, and his return is a timely boost.

Both Tottenham and Manchester City were linked with the 25-year-old throughout the transfer window - which speaks volumes about his ability - and he was Slovakia's player of the year in 2019.

Image source, BBC Sport

Another veteran of the 2010 World Cup and 2016 European Championships, Juraj Kucka is an experienced head in the Slovakian engine room.

A combative midfielder, Kucka is the perfect foil for Hamsik and gives the captain the freedom to showcase his talents.

Image source, BBC Sport

North Macedonia have done it! They have qualified for a major tournament for the first time. Goran Pandev, who is 37 years old, scored the winner.

Glorious.

Victory over Slovakia in tonight's play-off final would see Northern Ireland reach the Euro finals for a second successive time.

Northern Ireland have lost two and drawn one in their three games with Slovakia since Steve Lomas netted the winner in a 1998 friendly.

The Slovaks are also aiming to reach the Euro finals for a second time after their debut appearance in 2016.

Stefan Tarkovic is the new man in charge after Pavel Hapal was sacked just eight days after beating the Republic of Ireland on penalties to make the play-off final.

Image source, BBC Sport

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI reporter

From being grouped with continental giants Germany and the Netherlands, finishing third in their qualifying campaign, having their play-off semi-final postponed twice because of the Covid-19 pandemic, not to mention a change of manager, there have been plenty of twists and turns along the way for the Green and White Army to digest over the past couple of years.

Having seen off Bosnia-Herzegovina in a dramatic play-off semi-final penalty shootout in October, NI are just one win away from reaching the finals.

Before the crucial play-off final at Windsor Park, we examine some of the big pre-match talking points.

Read more here.

Northern Ireland aren't the only ones with a big game tonight. Scotland face Serbia in Belgrade in their play-off final (19:45 GMT), hoping to qualify for a major men's tournament for the first time since 1998.

You can follow that match here.

There's also a few friendlies thrown in the mixer. England are up against the Republic of Ireland (20:00 GMT). Follow that match here.

Wales are also hosting the USA (19:45 GMT). Follow that match here.

Image source, BBC Sport

North Macedonia are currently 1-0 up against Georgia and are seconds away from qualifiying...

Big night for the boys in green and white!

They've been out on the pitch to have a look and get in the zone before kick-off. How are you supporting them tonight?

Send your pictures, thoughts and good luck messages in via #bbcfootball on Twitter or text 81111 (UK only).

Image source, Inpho