Jakub Blaszczykowski
Poland may need another moment of inspiration from Jakub Blaszczykowski to get a vital victory over the Czech Republic. Reuters

When and where: The Group A encounter kicks-off from the Stadion Miejski in Wroclaw, Poland, at 2.45 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be provided by ESPN, with a live stream available on ESPN3.

Preview: Poland has never before won a match at a European Championships, a record that they will never have a greater incentive to erase than against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw.

After two draws, the co-hosts task is as straight-forward as it ever could be: win and they advance to a dream place in the quarter-finals, anything else and their fans will have to turn from passionate supporters into objective appreciators.

After failing to capitalize on a dominant first-half showing against Greece in their opening encounter, there was plenty of encouragement in an engaging and impassioned contest with Russia. The highlight being captain Jacob Blaszczykowski's stunning strike to tie Alan Dzagoev's first-half goal.

Blaszcykowski will again be crucial to home hopes against the Czechs. Robert Lewandowski has already shown in this competition that he is a reliable presence in the penalty area, but he needs support and service from those around him. Which is precisely why the performance of playmaker Ludovic Obrainiak will be another potentially determininig factor. The Bordeaux midfielder reacted petulantly to be substituted late on against Russia, but it would appear that he has made up with coach Franciszek Smuda at least enough to keep his place in the team.

Despite knocks picked up last time out, defensive midfielders Eugen Polanski and Dariusz Dudka are expected to be fit. There is more concern, though, about the availability of defender Damien Perquis, who will undergo a late fitness test on a knee injury. Smuda must also decide whether to restore Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks as he returns from suspension or to keep faith with impressive deputy Przemys?aw Tyton.

While Poland's brief is clear, their opponents will have to avoid getting stuck between knowing whether to stick or twist. A draw will be enough for the Czech Republic to progress unless Greece beat Russia by five goals or fewer, but that can be a dangerous scenario fow which to aim.

Following an abject beginning to their campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Russia, the Czechs were much improved in their 2-1 victory over Greece. One of the key elements to that performance was Tomas Rosicky. Looking off the pace in the first game, the Arsenal midfielder ran the show in the first-half against the Greeks. But equally as noticeable was how the Czechs faded after the break when Rosicky was forced off through injury.

Whether or not Rosicky passes a late fitness test on his achilles complaint is likely to have a huge baring on the game's outcome.

Czech Republic

G: Cech

D: Selassie, Sivok, Hubnik,Limbersky

M: Plasil, Hubschman

Jiracek, Rosicky, Pilar

F: Baros

Poland

G: Tyton

D: Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch

M: Polanski, Dudka, Murawski

Blaszczykowski, Obraniak

F: Lewandowski

Prediction: It promises to be a monumental occasion as, spurred on by a fervent home support, Poland must commit everything to getting a priceless victory. Their raucous fans clearly played a part in the side's energy and tempo against Russia and should do likewise here.

Though the Czechs look much more balanced with Tomas Hubschman shielding the back four, it is Rosicky that truly makes the side tick. While the creative talent is likely to be risked with everything at stake, it is hard to envisage him being even close to his best. With an ineffective looking Milan Baros up front, Michal Bilek's side may struggle to pose much of a threat going forward. Even against a potentially weakened Polish defense.

It may well be tense, but Poland should have just enough

Czech Republic 1-2 Poland