There had been a Polish presence at seven FIFA World Cups before the country finally qualified for a first UEFA European Championship final tournament, in 2008. As co-hosts for the 2012 event a second appearance quickly followed but, as on their debut in Austria, they failed to win a game and did not progress beyond the group stage. Now the team possess top-grade striker in Robert Lewandowski, who powered Poland to UEFA EURO 2016 with a record-equaling qualifying competition tally of 13 goals.

Poland in European championships:

The manager: Adam Nawalka

Nawalka played at 1978 FIFA World cup for Poland. Under his management Poland finished second in their qualifying group with only one game lost. At club level, Nawalka managed Krzeszowice, Wisla Krakow (he won the Polish League cup in 2001), Zagłębie Lubin and Jagielonia. Also he was assistant manager of Leo Beenhakker at Poland in 2008. Nawalka took a charge at the national team in 2013 and in 2015 he was selected for manager of the year in Poland.

The star: Robert Lewandowski

The Bundesliga's top scorer with 30 goals and also the top scorer of Euro qualified with 13, Lewandowski is in outstanding form and many specialists think that Poland's number 9 is the best striker in Europe. Also Lewa was the best player of qualifications and Polish sportsman of 2015. With his goal scoring ability, it won't be a surprise if Robert pass the Włodzimierz Lubański's record for most goals for Poland.

Poland's matches in Group C:

12 June 2016 - Poland - Northern Ireland - 18:00, Allianz Riviera, Nice

16 June 2016 - Germany - Poland - 21:00, Stade de France, Paris

21 June 2016 - Ukraine - Poland - Stade - 18:00 Vélodrome, Marseille