Euro 2016 preview: Group C

Getting to the top is one thing; staying there is another. Germany are aiming for a second 'major' title on the bounce following the 2014 World Cup win. Jogi Löw's side are feared, and will face a familiar foe from their qualifying group.

The crop that won the World Cup is largely intact. However, the retirement of Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker has given Löw an enormous headache in some positions. The inclusion of Joshua Kimmich, Julian Weigl and Leroy Sane in the full squad offers hope for the future.

Germany play two games in Paris during the group stages, against Poland and against Northern Ireland. Germany were France's opponent at The Stade de France when the stadium was one of the targets of the terror attacks that claimed the lives of 130 people in 2015. "We need to talk once more so we do not take the uncomfortable memories with us to the tournament," said Löw.

After years of service for the Ukrainian national team, former Bayern Munich midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has the team around him to advance to the knockout stages of the Euros. Ukraine have reached one World Cup in five attempts, and co-hosted the Euros in 2012.

Germany know all about Poland. Thew were the side who handed Germany their first away qualifying defeat since 1998 in Warsaw at the start of qualifying. Löw's side ran out 3-1 winners in the return fixture, but the Poles finished just one point behind the world champions in the group. With Robert Lewandowski et al, Poland could be capable of a shock.

Regardless of Poland's standing in European football, the presence of Robert Lewandowski gives them a fighting chance of success in France. Lewandowski scored 30 league goals for Bayern this season and is the best form of his career. His 13 goals in qualification powered Poland to the finals.

Perhaps the biggest surprise package of qualifcation was Northern Ireland. The Green and White Army, coached by Michael O'Neill, breezed through their qualifying group to reach their first-ever European Championship. Northern Ireland racked up 21 points in qualification, with Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis leading from the front.