Good afternoon, everyone.

Welcome along to what could prove a really entertaining encounter between potential dark horses and a plucky underdog.

It’s hard to believe that the North haven’t been at a major tournament since 1986 but write them off at your peril.

They were excellent in qualifying – all this talk of a ‘poor group’ is a little baffling – and have experienced an incredible turnaround with Michael O’Neill in charge.

Can they pick up a solid result in their opener?

The teams are in. Here’s how the Poles will line up.

What a huge moment it is for Northern Ireland. Here are the 11 men who’ll start for them here.

Ahead of kick-off, why not go behind the scenes with Northern Ireland and find out more about their preparation?

Lisa Fallon is an analyst with the team and chatted to Paul Fennessy about her role.

In terms of formations, Poland is a pretty standard 4-4-1-1.

We know all about the threat posed not just by Lewandowski but Milik too.

Slightly more intriguing when it comes to what O’Neill will offer up.

It will probably be a 4-5-1 with Gareth McAuley and Conor McLoughlin in the full-back positions.

Manchester United’s Paddy McNair will play further forward and Kyle Lafferty will lead the line on his own with support from Steven Davis.

For Poland, Grosicki has failed a fitness test so it’s a teenager – Kapustka – who comes in to replace him. It’s Szczesny in goal – he gets the nod ahead of Fabianski.

Spare a thought for Chris Brunt who misses the tournament through injury but who is with the side and trained with them this week. A loyal servant over the last ten years or so.

No Will Grigg in the starting lineup as Lafferty is fit to lead the line. Brothers Jonny and Corry Evans are looking to become the first brothers to feature in a major tournament for the North.

Big day for the Evans’ household.

30 years ago today, Northern Ireland played a World Cup game against Brazil. Who knew they wouldn’t feature at another major tournament for so long?

That day, Pat Jennings turned 41 and was magnificent as he made save after save.

But he couldn’t keep this out. One of the finest World Cup goals of all time.

KICK-OFF! 

Huge start by Poland here. Pressure and space for a cross as Piszczek whips it into the danger area. It goes out for a corner and the subsequent delivery causes some anxious moments too.

O’Neill’s side sitting back and not looking to press at all. Allowing Poland come on to them but defending deep and can’t keep this up for the entire game. Lafferty needs to get service and run the channels.

Milik had a decent chance after the ball bounced off Chris Baird and into his path. But he seemed surprised and didn’t settle on his left foot, missing his kick entirely from inside the area.

Polish full-backs are bombarding forward as Northern Ireland decide against the press. It’s leaving space and this time it’s Jedrzejczyk who races up the left and sends in the cross. It’s just behind Milk, luckily for the North.

In their defence, Northern Ireland did this quite well in their big, away qualifiers. Have faith in defence and hit teams with a quick break or setup around the area. Poland are more energetic and high-energy than either Hungary or Romania though.

Poland bound to get increasingly frustrated here. They’ve had so much of the ball but can’t make a breakthrough. As much as Lafferty hasn’t touched the ball for the North, Lewandowski has been a spectator too.

Increasingly solid effort here from O’Neill’s side. Takes intense concentration to keep this up. Great shape, dogged and determined. They’ll want to stretch things a bit more now and give their defence a breather when they can.

More space for Poland down the left but the quality of the delivery is lacking from Jedrzejczyk and it harmlessly bounces to safety. Ferguson is steely in the challenge to shepherd it out for a throw.

And we have a shot! The North cough up the ball, rather uncharacteristically, and it’s moved quickly to Lewandowski. A little nutmeg from him and he passes to Milik. He takes the shot on but it’s straight at McGovern though he needs two attempts to gather.

VERY CLOSE! That should be 1-0 to Poland. Nicely worked down the right side as Piszczek drives his way to the by-line and gets a really dangerous cut-back in. Milik gathers and evades a challenge to make space. Faced with McGovern, his body position is a bit all over the place and can only push the shot over the bar. Big opportunity.

To put this in the context of other Northern Ireland performances, it’s now over 300 minutes since they last conceded.

Eight attempts for Poland. Just one on target. O’Neill will be thrilled with that.

VERY CLOSE! The North just can’t quite get this clear and it’s picked up on the edge of the area by the teenager Kapustka. His strike is well-struck but McGovern gets behind it and pushes it over the top.

Moments later, the corner causes mayhem in the six-yard area as a litany of green shirts end up on the ground trying to desperately get last-ditch challenges and blocks in. It works though and more frustration for Poland.

The teen was mentioned by some Polish writers as one to watch at this tournament. Has looked very assured here.

HALF-TIME! 

To many, that would’ve been a drab and lifeless affair but you must give credit to the concentration from Northern Ireland.

For 45 minutes they’ve been on the back-foot, usually defending from the edge of their penalty area and unable to properly stretch Poland and give themselves a breather.

And still, they’re currently set to pick up an excellent point. They’ve kept their shape superbly and weathered an early storm.

Lafferty has struggled to get any touches and they haven’t created a single, even remotely vague, moment of ingenuity.

But just two chances for the Poles and Lewandowski quiet.

15 minutes to get some breath back and figure out a way of getting in behind Poland a little bit more.

Meanwhile, in Vincent Kompany news…

SUBSTITUTION! Dallas (on) – McNair (off)

Could be injury related or merely about introducing fresh legs but O’Neill blinks first and makes a change.

SECOND HALF! 

GOAL! Milik! 

Well, what a blow that it. So early in the half and it’s Milik who sends the low strike to the left after Błaszczykowski tees him up for the shot in the area. McGovern will surely be disappointed with it. He seemed to get very close to it but it rolled past him and into the net. Now, what does O’Neill do from here?

You’d be concerned for the North here. Push on some more and Poland will hurt you on the break. Plenty of time for them so important to keep things calm for the moment. No need for anything rash.

That’s a waste. A decent position to whip in a decent free kick and Norwood’s delivery just isn’t up to scratch.

They’re fortunate again here, the North. Piszczek left in acres of space down the right side and he has time to get a ball back to Milik. Luckily for the green shirts, it’s a poor pass and they get it clear.

Great awareness by Conor McLaughlin as he tracks Kapustka when the youngster races onto a smart through ball. Timing the challenge to perfection and a goal kick for the North.

BOOKING! Really good, controlled play from Poland and they’re making the North work until Chris Baird digs in, takes possession and races clear. Kapustka brings him down and gets a yellow for his troubles.

SUBSTITUTION! Washington (in) – Ferguson (out)

Second change for the North and the QPR man will slot in on the left side.

CLOSE! Just a reminder of how quick Poland can break. Błaszczykowski races clear of the North’s defence and flashes a strike right across goal. Didn’t seem sure whether to take on a shot or send in a cross. Ended up being somewhere in the middle.

BOOKING! Cathcart dives in and joins Kapustka as being on a yellow.

CLOSE! Washington’s actually playing centrally and close to Lafferty – not on the left as I first thought. And he’s given the Poles a real scare here as he gets a touch along the sideline to take it clear of Jedrzejczyk and, for a moment, it seems he’s got a real chance. But Szczesny is off his line quickly and smothers.

Kyle Lafferty juggles the ball and throws himself acrobatically in the air to fire in a spectacular but wayward overhead kick.

He was on the edge of the box, to be fair.

SUBSTITUTION! Jodłowiec (in) – Mączyński (out)

First change for Poland and they might just be getting a little nervous now. Northern Ireland are not out of this and have offered a lot more since going behind.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Ward (on) – Baird (off) & Grosicki (in) – Błaszczykowski (out)

Last throw of the dice from O’Neill as Jamie Ward is introduced and they’ll really go for it for the last 10 minutes.

Free kick to the North here.

Oh! What a chance! Davis makes a great run and the free-kick is slipped into his path. As he’s about to pull the trigger, the ball just escapes him and he can’t stretch far enough to get the strike in. The pass just had a bit too much on it.

VERY CLOSE! Krychowiak has been really, really strong in the middle of the park and he strides forward before unleashing a thumping long-range strike that is about half an inch wide of the upright.

BOOKING! Piszczek takes down Ward and a great chance from this free kick now.

Oh…just when they needed a good delivery, it’s just lofted in with no real intent or purpose and bounces harmlessly out of play on the far side. Incredibly frustrating.

CLOSE! Oh, dear. Chaos at the back for Poland. The cross comes in and both Szczesny and Piszczek go for it. The keeper’s arm ends up in his full-back’s face and the ball bounces free with Washington sniffing around. It doesn’t break for him and Poland survive.

FULL-TIME! 

Disappointment for Michael O’Neill in their opening game and they would’ve really wanted something from their first fixture.

The approach worked to a certain extent – yes, Poland were better and hinted at a lot but they were left frustrated for long periods too with Lewandowski – their great game-breaker – relatively anonymous.

But it was a risk to sit back and hold tight for the entire game, hoping to get out of jail. And because Milik conjured a winner, the tactic will look like an error or misjudgement.

But, it served them well in qualifying and to try something new over the next few weeks would make little sense.

They offered more, inevitably, after going a goal down but now face into a crunch game against Ukraine in four days time.

Thanks for staying with our coverage and there will be plenty more reaction and post-game analysis on the site this evening.