euro 2016 group C - Historical Football Kits

Euros 2016 Group C

euro 2016 logo Northern Ireland made their first appearance in the finals after a remarkable qualifying campaign that ended with them top of their group ahead of Romania and Hungary. They faced a tough challenge.

World Champions Germany inevitably started as one of the favourites for the competition although their preparations had been rather spoiled when Slovakia beat them 3-1 in Augsburg in a warm up match on 4 June.

European Championships Index

Poland

Northern Ireland

Poland 1 Northern Ireland 0

Allianz Riviera, Nice
12 June

The Irish owed their place in France in no small measure to a strong defence and they had their work cut out against a well organised and attack-minded Polish side. Any plans they had to strike on the counter were stifled by the Poles and Ireland did not have a single chance in the first half. Once Milik had put Poland ahead (51') Ireland needed to find an extra gear but they got nowhere while the Poles gave an object lesson in how to close out a game by retaining possession in the opposition's half.

Germany

Ukraine

Germany 2 Ukraine 0

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
12 June

Germany, simply put, got the job done. Ukraine were rarely a threat and seemed unlikely to get back into the match after Shkodran Mustafi had put Germany ahead in the 19th minute. Schweinsteiger locked it up in injury time.

Ukraine

Northern Ireland

Ukraine 0 Northern Ireland 2

Stade des Lumières, Lyon
16 June

A much changed Northern Ireland team stormed to a famous and well-deserved win. McAuley headed home their first in the 49th minute, Niall McGinn putting things beyond doubt in the sixth minute of injury time. Ukraine were eliminated by this result.

Germany

Poland

Germany 0 Poland 0

Stade de France, Saint-Denis
16 June

Both sides already had three points in the bag so there was no real urgency in the match. The world champions were toothless in attack while Milik squandered several good chances for Poland.

Northern Ireland

Germany

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1

Parc des Princes, Paris
21 June

A first half goal from Gomez ensured Germany finished on top of the group while results elsewhere meant that the Irish team, who finished third with three points, also progressed.

Ukraine

Poland

Ukraine 0 Poland 1

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
21 June

A fine goal by Blaszczykowski confirmed Poland's place in the last 16 (although with four points in the bag, they were already through). Ukraine went home with neither a goal nor a point.