Group C is an epic match-up between world champions Germany and historic rivals Poland at France’s home of football, the Stade de France. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST).
The saying goes that familiarity breeds contempt, yet no one told to Germany or Poland.
Only coincidence could draw the two nations, who hold historic and cultural ties, together in the same group, after being in the same qualification group.
Last night at the Euros:
» England vs Wales
» Ukraine vs Northern Ireland
This is the fourth meeting in two years between the two sides. The stakes are raised, but in the context of both teams’ Matchday 1 victories, a negative result will likely only lower bragging rights.
Having dispensed of Ukraine and Northern Ireland respectively, both teams can view victory as a ticket to the round of 16 before Matchday 3 kicks off.
The win against Ukraine was far from vintage Germany, but then again, it doesn’t need to be at such early stages. During periods when Ukraine were dominant, it was evident Germany were leaving something in reserve, as improvement will surely follow.
The key area is up front, where Mario Gotze was too often left isolated or one-dimensional to act as a lone striker. Coach Joachim Low may persist with the Bayern forward, but could use either the addition of Mario Gomez, or have the influential Thomas Muller play in a more central area.
Germany should line up with the same 4-2-3-1 formation, albeit the fitness of Mats Hummels will be a key talking point, given their sometimes shaky defence shows they can be exploited. The return of Hummels will restore the spine of the team that won the World Cup.
For Poland, there is no greater pleasure than beating Germany. While the focus will be on captain Robert Lewandowski, given his insider knowledge of his Bayern-heavy opponents, the win against Northern Ireland came courtesy of fellow forward Arkadiusz Milik’s 51st-minute strike.
Coach Adam Nawalka will likely retain the same 4-4-2 formation that saw off Northern Ireland, and while both Lewandowski and Milik will be constant threats against the German defence, the work of midfielders Bartosz Kaputska and Grzegorz Krychowiak will likely determine Poland’s output, aiming to keep Muller quiet.
Cutting off Germany’s supply lines will be critical to Poland’s hopes, and setting them on counterattacks, where Lewandowski can expose the German defence and Manuel Neuer.
Expect a terse affair that could go either way – Germany have greater improvement in them, but if their performance against Ukraine is anything to set from, then Poland could score a win against their arch-rivals.
Vas Venkatramani
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'90+3: Well, that was a real clash of bodies there, and it's a big whack on Ozil from the sub Peszko, who came flying in, and gave Ozil an elbow to the chest. But it's a free kick right near the corner flag. Delivered, and cleared, and fulltime is blown by Bjorn Kuipers, and it's a point each for these two, whose goal cannot be breached at either end. They both go up to four points on the ladder, with Germany leading on goal difference. This result has now knocked out Ukraine, as they cannot go ahead of Northern Ireland, as it goes to a head-to-head count, while Northern Ireland will need to beat Germany on Matchday 3 to be certain of their progress. But in the end, despite a more enterprising second half, Germany and Poland could not be separated, despite a host of chances for Germany, and several openings for Poland, especially from the wasteful Arkadiusz Milik. But in the end, the point will go a long way ahead of Matchday 3. Thanks for your company this morning. I'll be back at 5am tomorrow morning to bring you the Group D game between Spain and Turkey. But here at Saint Denis, it finished Germany 0-0 Poland. A very good morning to all of you. FULLTIME: Germany 0-0 Poland
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'90+2: Germany continuing to probe, but they cannot beat this obdurate defence, oh but a cross from Schurrle, is attempted to be met spectacularly by Muller, who can't meet the cross with his stretched right leg. Poland have a throw, and a minute remains. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'90+1: Three minutes added time, as Poland head clear for a German throw. Time running out - again, a draw may be beneficial for both teams. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'89: Hector remonstrates with the referee, calling for a corner after being dispossessed by Piszczek, but it's a goalkick instead. Save for another bout of late drama, we've had plenty already this tournament, this may be the first goalless affair of Euro 2016. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'87: Slight outage, as Poland make their final change. Off goes Grosicko for Slawomir Peszko. But a big chance for Howedes was denied by a wonderful diving challenge by Pazdan, and now Jedrzejczyk is brought down from behind by Muller, and this one doesn't look good. He stays down on the deck, and now gingerly walks and runs up. It's another golden chance to whip in a ball by Milik, but it's cleared by Germany, and anyway, Kuipers awards a free kick to Germany. SUBSTITUTION (POLAND) OFF: 11. Grosicki ON: 17. Peszko Germany 0-0 Poland
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'84: Handball against Boateng, who is livid with the decision - steady son, you're already in the book. It is a handball, but I can see why Boateng feels its harsh, as it came from his foot onto his hand. But this is a wonderful position for Grosicki to deliver a cross for, but he opts to shoot from an acute angle just outside on the right of Germany's penalty area. Not a bad effort, but it's over, and he may have been better to opt for a cross. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'83: Unlike the England v Wales game, where it felt always like a moment like Daniel Sturridge's would eventuate, this one feels destined to be two defences cancelling eachother out. Still, there is time... Germany 0-0 Poland
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'81: Schurrle with a wonderful energetic run that outsprints two red shirts, and Pazdan is all that can clear it for Poland. If it does end as a goalless stalemate, it will be a beneficial result nonetheless for both sides. Hector here earns a corner for Germany, which is played short. Cleared away for a German throw, and it's a heavy fall for Benedikt Howedes, who swiftly gets back up and running. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'80: Coming into the final 10 minutes, and an advanced Howedes receives a ball from Ozil, and his attempted lob into the penalty area is for no one, and it rolls out. Meanwhile, change two for Poland, as Blaszczykowski is replaced by Martosz Kaputska. SUBSTITUTION (POLAND) OFF: 16. Blaszczykowski ON: 21. Kaputska Germany 0-0 Poland
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'78: Well, that's a sign of the wonderful industry and graft of Thomas Muller. He chases down a ball, and slides in front of Jedrzejczyk, who then obliges and loses it to the Bayern frontman, who can then deliver a chance to his teammates inside the Polish box. He eventually does shoot off-balance, but it's over, but there is such an impressive workrate attached to his undeniable talent for goalscoring. Germany could do with it right now. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'76: Here is their first change, it's Tomasz Jodlowiec replacing Maczynski in midfield. SUBSTITUTION (POLAND) OFF: 5. Maczynski ON: 6. Jodlowiec Germany 0-0 Poland
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'74: The pace has been somewhat breathless since the second half. Now Germany concede another corner, conceded by Pazdan. It's delivered into a vacant patch of green by Kroos, eventually it's booted away by a red shirt, and now they can clear it away upfield. In a stark contrast to the first half, this one has been entertaining at both ends, and also a marker of tiring defences. Poland yet to make a change, does Nawalka have something up his sleeve? Germany 0-0 Poland
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'71: Schurrle actually looks to be playing on the left, with Muller occupying the central striker role vacated by Gotze. Here, Schurrle takes a ball from the back, and cuts inside and shoots at Fabianski's near post. On replay, it looks like that chance from Milik was scuffed onto his right boot, after it was taken on his left. Only after the shot had passed did he lose his footing. Now second change for Germany - I saw Draxler coming off, but not sure who's on his place. On, it's Mario Gomez. SUBSTITUTION (GERMANY) OFF: 11. Draxler ON: 23. Gomez Germany 0-0 Poland
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'69: Oh what a chance for Poland missed by Milik! It's a lovely buildup from midfield, with four red shirts up against four white shirts tracking back, and the chance to shoot is missed by Milik, who lost his footing at the opportune time as the cross came in from the left! And at the other end, Ozil forces Fabianski into a fine save - this one was on target. Both teams going close, well one team was close, the other team missed the ball. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'67: Bodycheck on Milik by Boateng on halfway, and it's a yellow card for the contact, but also possibly for the nature of denying the counterattack. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'65: Plenty of short passing, but then Kroos sees an opening to shoot from 15 yards, but can't keep it down. Meanwhile, Germany make the first change, as Andre Schurrle replaces Mario Gotze up front for Die Mannschaft. SUBSTITUTION (GERMANY) OFF: 19. Gotze ON: 9. Schurrle Germany 0-0 Poland
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'62: Free kick Poland, this time upfield, and this time on their right flank. It's Krychowiak to deliver, and it's cleared at the first time of asking by Germany. Is it time for both teams to find alternatives to break this deadlock? Germany 0-0 Poland
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'61: Hour gone in Saint Denis, and Poland get a relieving free kick thanks to a needless push by Gotze on Blaszczykowski. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'58: Lewandowski plays a calm backheel, and the shot actually comes from his strike partner Arkadiusz Milik, who shoots well, but it's wide! Now from the ensuing goalkick, Germany lose possession, and Lewandowski has a chance to crack open the defence, and it's all wonderful from Jerome Boateng to dispossess his club teammate before he can shoot. Meanwhile, at the other end, Germany get a corner, that Hummels heads over - not a really a chance that, it was played deeper, and the header was always going up. But since the start of the second half, this game has been played on a different pace and level. Germany 0-0 Poland
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'56: It's become a lot more feisty with the challenges on the park. While it's nothing of an extreme nature, I'm expecting a few more fouls as both teams seem desperate not to concede at the moment. A draw again takes both to four points. Now a free kick for Poland given away by Muller, and it's from an opportune position - about 15 or so yards out. Lewandowski stands on it, as it's almost central. He stands alone. Is this his moment? Germany 0-0 Poland