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Lukasz expects 'proper physical football' from NI

Lukasz Fabianski says Poland are expecting a physical approach from Northern Ireland in their European Championship opener.

The two countries start their Euro 2016 campaign in Nice on Sunday, with Germany and Ukraine completing the Group C line-up.

Lukasz Fabianski admitted he hadn't done a lot of research on his opening opponents. Credit: PA

"I have not really analysed their games a lot," Poland goalkeeper Fabianski said.

"But I guess it will be proper physical football, a lot of set-pieces which will tough to defend.

"We will be expecting a lot of intensity and passion from Northern Ireland.

"We have been lucky that we played against Scotland and the Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers.

"So we know what to expect from Northern Ireland."

Poland qualified for Euro 2016 by finishing second to Germany in their group.

But they did shock Joachim Low's world champions 2-0 in Warsaw - the first time Poland had beaten Germany in their history.

Robert Lewandowski finished top scorer in qualifying - his 13 goals putting him two clear of Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic - and Fabianski recognises the importance of the Bayern Munich striker.

"He's our captain, our leader and our goal-scoring machine," Fabianski said.

"We really rely on him a lot, but the way we are set up as a team is good because it gives us possibilities to score goals.

"If he keeps his form then we should not be worried at all."

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