Germany's players have taken to Twitter ahead of their second game of Euro 2016 Group C against Poland at the Stade de France. Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger both got involved.

Euro 2016 has been something of a feel-good tournament for Germany so far and Joachim Low's men are certainly optimistic they can keep that going when they face Poland on Thursday night.

MATT BARLOW AT THE STADE DE FRANCE: This time, Joachim Low was left scratching his head as opposed to another part of his anatomy as Poland made his world champions appear mortal..

Sportsmail's Martin Keown offers his assessment of Tuesday's two early games at Euro 2016 as Northern Ireland look to secure progress to the last 16 and Poland try to beat Germany to top spot.

Poland reached the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time in their history following a 1-0 victory over neighbours Ukraine in the Stade Velodrome, Marseille.

Polish coach Adam Nawalka doesn't want striker Robert Lewandowski compared to Cristiano Ronaldo as the striker faces Switzerland on Saturday having failed to score at Euro 2016.

The underwhelming group-stages are over and Euro 2016's knockout round is underway. Here, Sportsmail columnist MARTIN KEOWN gives his verdict on Saturday's last-16 games.

CHRIS HATHERALL IN SAINT-ETIENNE: Poland are through to the quarter-finals of a European Championship for the first time in their history after winning on penalties against Switzerland.

After 17 days and 44 matches, Euro 2016 has now reached crunch time with eight teams left to battle it out for glory in France as the tournament reaches the finishing straight.

Arkadiusz Milik is looking forward to playing against one of his footballing heroes, Cristiano Ronaldo, when Poland face Portugal in the European Championship quarter-finals in Marseille.

The Portugal squad travelled to Marseille the day before the contest, with a number of the squad's senior players posing for a photograph while en route to the southern French city.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 despite failing to win a game in normal time in the tournament so far.

IAN LADYMAN AT STADE VELODROME: Cristiano Ronaldo has been here before and made the wrong call. Portugal exited Euro 2012 on penalties to Spain without their great talisman taking a kick.

Portugal have become the first team in modern European Championship finals history to reach the semi-finals of without winning a single game in normal time, having beaten Poland.

Everton and Napoli target Arkadiusz Milik will not be allowed to leave in this window, say his club Ajax. The Polish star is understood have agreed to stay at least until January.

Sportsmail revealed Leicester's bid at the weekend and the Premier League champions have now settled on a fee with Cracovia for an initial £5.4million, rising to £7.4m based on performance.

A hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski lifted Poland to a 3-2 victory over Denmark in a thrilling World Cup Group E qualifier in Warsaw on Saturday.

Poland's World Cup qualifier with Romania had to be suspended when a firecracker exploded at the feet of striker Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich man needed medical attention.

Bucharest police have questioned 17 football fans after clashes at the World Cup qualifier between Romania and Poland on Friday.

OLIVER TODD: Lech Poznan forward Dawid Kownacki has helped fire his club to a title challenge in Poland this season, attracting the attention of some of Europe's biggest sides.

Lewandowski's wife, Anna, gave birth to their daughter on Thursday morning and the proud father wasted no time in posting a picture of himself kissing his child on the head.

Poland and Uruguay played out a goalless stalemate in Warsaw which saw Artur Boruc receive a standing ovation just before half time, as the 37-year-old retired from international football.

The countdown to the 2018 World Cup ramps up significantly on Friday when the draw for next summer's tournament in Russia takes place.  Sportsmail previews how it will all happen.

Spain are paired in the same group as Portugal for the World Cup next summer, while Russia host Saudi Arabia in the tournament's opening game as England are handed favourable draw.

The World Cup is always an intense battle of the best national football teams in the world to see who comes out on top, but there is another contest going on - the battle of the kits.

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2018 is on after the draw for the finals in Russia — and here is your brilliant Mail on Sunday wallchart to get yourself ready for the tournament.

Bayern Munich striker appeared hard at work on Monday as Adam Nawalka's squad trained ahead the tournament. Poland have two friendlies still to play against Chile and Lithuania.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot was won by Colombia's James Rodriguez, who set the tournament alight with six goals and goal of the tournament before earning a transfer to Real Madrid.

The 2018 World Cup is just days away, but for the first time in decades Australians won't be able to watch all the games live on free-to-air TV.

Sportsmail's CHRIS SUTTON gives his verdict ahead of an action-packed day of World Cup football as he tips tournament hosts Russia to beat Egypt with or without star man Mo Salah.

Robert Lewandowski is 'an example' to young players everywhere, according to his coach Adam Nawalka, but there is more to this Poland side than the Bayern Munich star's goals.

Germany's home clash with France is the most mouth-watering tie on Thursday, as the reigning World Cup winners look to continue their dominance with victory over the 2014 champions.

The UEFA Nations League inaugural weekend continues tonight as Italy host Poland, while Scotland are also in action in a friendly with Belgium. Follow the action here with MICHAEL SEARLES .

Poland coach Jerzy Brzeczek has warned his players not to treat Tuesday night's friendly clash with the Republic of Ireland as a party for Robert Lewandowski.

Roberto Mancini very much put his Italy players through their paces as they look to claim their first victory in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday night against Poland.

Portugal boss Fernando Santos felt his side deserved the point in Italy which earned them qualification for the Nations League finals.

Arkadiusz Milik's second half penalty cancelled out Andre Silva's opening goal for Portugal as the Nations League finalists were held in Guimaraes on Tuesday night.

Arsenal players looked fired up ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Wednesday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang posted a video on his Instagram page.

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi has been handed his first England Under-21 call-up as he continues his rise. The forward has been included for the friendlies against Poland and Germany.

NORWAY 3-3 SWEDEN: Norway substitute Ola Kamara scored in the 96th minute to snatch a 3-3 draw at home to neighbours Sweden in a fiercely-contested Group F Euro 2020 qualifier.

Provincial club Piast Gliwice are two games away from 'doing a Leicester City' and winning the league for the first time in their history. And anchoring their midfield is 29-year-old Tom Hateley,

The 16-year-old made his first appearance for Spain U21s as a substitute in their 2-0 win over Montenegro U21s on Tuesday night. He has been a sensation so far this season.

SPAIN 5-0 ROMANIA: Gerard Moreno scored a brace as Spain concluded their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win at home to Romania.

Roberto Moreno's final act as Spain boss saw him reportedly produce an emotional rant to his players in the dressing room with a dramatic u-turn seeing Luis Enrique return as manager.

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week in search of the next big star. This week they give Sportsmail the low-down on Crystal Palace starlet NYA KIRBY.

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. This week they give Sportsmail the low down on Nottingham Forest right back Matty Cash.

THE SECRET SCOUT: Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. This week they give the low down on Cardiff midfielder Gavin Whyte.

THE SECRET SCOUT: This tall 22-year-old attacking midfielder is currently playing in a forward role supporting his frontman in a Reading side trying to revive their season's fortunes.

THE SECRET SCOUT: Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. This week it is West Bromwich Albion winger Kyle Edwards.

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. This week they give Sportsmail a lowdown on 18-year-old Arsenal centre forward Folarin Balogun.