Poland hopes to be consistent

The Polish team could reach the last eight at their first European Championship if it sticks to the constant performance that made them group winners ahead of favourites Portugal.

Although the team started its campaign with a home defeat and later suffered a loss, the Poles have showed remarkable resilience.

Poland secured a berth at the tournament with a game to spare, having beaten Portugal at home and then snatched a late draw in the reverse fixture.

Their coach, Leo Beenhakker, believes Poland could be the tournament’s surprise package and a good result in their opener would boost confidence.

Co-hosts Austria will also want to give Poland a good run for their cash but it is their final fixture against Croatia that will decide their fate.

Should Poland miss out on the last eight, it would be a third consecutive failure to progress past the group stage in a major tournament after exits in the previous two World Cups.