Euro 2016, Group C: Germany and a trio of hopefuls

With Germany the clear favourite to top Group C, neighbour Poland, Ukraine, and Northern Ireland will fight it out for second-place honours behind the 2014 World Cup winners.

While Poland and Ukraine - both of whom finished third in their respective groups in the last Euros - appear best suited to nab second spot and potentially one of the four third-place knockout stage berths, Norn Iron's stymieing defending and compact midfield was notably difficult to break down in qualifiers.

Here's our look at Group C heading into Euro 2016.

Group Schedule

4 Players to Watch

Germany: Mesut Ozil

Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez are likely to score the goals, but it's Arsenal standout Mesut Ozil who will play provider. With Muller's penchant for routinely gravitating to the right spots, Ozil should feast on his teammate's positional awareness.

Related - Euro 2016 preview: Germany looking to end 20-year drought

Clearly one of Joachim Low's favourite players, Ozil has made 73 appearances for Die Mannschaft and has scored 19 times, sixth-best among active Germans.

Poland: Arkadiusz Milik

One of the few sides to play a 4-4-2, while Bayern Munich stud Robert Lewandowski will attract the attention of defenders, 22-year-old Ajax standout Arkadiusz Milik will be the one to prosper.

Related - Euro 2016 Preview: Poland hoping to make good on sleeper status

Primed for a top-flight transfer, Milik has the skill set and temperament to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament. Milik's thunderous left foot and ability in the air is the perfect complement for Lewandowski's right.

Ukraine: Andriy Yarmolenko

Likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 with hopes resting on a potent counter-attack, Dynamo Kyiv forward Andriy Yarmolenko will be leaned on as a source of scoring for Mykhaylo Fomenko's lot.

Related - Euro 2016 Preview: Ukraine out to frustrate opponents into submission

As versatile as he is likely for an on-pitch outburst - just ask countryman Taras Stepanenko - Yarmolenko has been on the verge of a high-profile transfer for what seems like an eternity, and a stellar Euro campaign could cement a Premier League switch.

Northern Ireland: Jonny Evans

If unassuming Southampton midfielder Steven Davis is Michael O'Neill's middle-of-the-park metronome, West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans is its stopgap.

Related - Euro 2016 preview: Northern Ireland could bail fast to Belfast

Likely to sit deep and weather deluges from the likes of Germany and Poland's adept strike forces and Ukraine's counter-attack, Evans and Watford's Craig Cathcart will be relied upon to limit the number of shots aimed at 'keeper Michael McGovern.

Upset Potential

June 16. Lyon's sparkling new Stade des Lumieres is the venue, and Will Grigg is the hero, as Northern Ireland tops Ukraine 1-0 courtesy of a thrilling injury-time finish against the run of play. O'Neill's squad pair the three points with two narrow defeats against Germany and Poland, missing a third-place knockout stage spot by a point.

Predicted Finish

Poland is the team to watch here, and may be underrated considering the potent dual-prong attack that saw the White Eagles finish a point adrift of Germany in qualifying. With 33 goals scored in qualifying, Adam Nawalka's lot boasts both the most tallies and second-best goal differential in the run-up to Euro 2016.

1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Ukraine
4. Northern Ireland