In a true clash of contrasting styles, Group A rivals Ecuador and Poland go head-to-head in Gelsenkirchen on the opening day of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. The match, scheduled for 21:00 CET on 9 June, could go a long way to deciding which of these sides makes it through to the last 16.

The players
"Sixty per cent of our chances of going through to the next round rest on the Poland game," says Edison Mendez, one of nine members of the Ecuador squad also present at Korea/Japan 2002. His age and experience mean that Mendez enjoys a privileged position between the squad's old guard - Agustin Delgado, Ivan Hurtado and the like - and the new generation of players, which includes bright young talents Luis Valencia and Cristian Lara. Poland, meanwhile, have assembled a balanced squad packed with top quality footballers which coach Pawel Janas has moulded into a formidable unit. With the likes of Artur Boruc, Jacek Bak, Jacek Krzynowek and Maciej Zurawski making up the spine of the team, the Poles' direct playing style makes them a difficult proposition for any side.

How they qualified
Ecuador sealed their qualification on 8 October 2005 following a 0-0 draw with Uruguay at home in Quito in the penultimate round of South American qualifying. The Ecuadorians finished third in the table, behind continental superpowers Brazil and Argentina. Poland earned their ticket for this summer's tournament by finishing as one of the European Zone's best second-placed teams. Drawn in Group 6, the Poles gave eventual group winners England a real run for their money, sealing their spot in Germany last September with a victory over Wales.

Past meetings
The two sides have met just once, in a friendly match held on 13 November last year in Barcelona, Spain. Goals from Tomasz Klos, Euzebiusz Smolarek and Sebastian Mila lifted Poland to a resounding 3-0 win.

Tournament history
Germany 2006 will be Ecuador's second appearance on world football's biggest stage and they will be looking to improve on their performance at Korea/Japan 2002, where they failed to advance from the group stage. Poland, for their part, are old hands at this level, this summer's tournament being their second consecutive FIFA World Cup and their seventh in total. The Eastern Europeans were a force to be reckoned with during the 70s and 80s, finishing third at both Germany 1974 and Spain 1982.

Key contest
Delgado versus Boruc. Ecuador's powerful frontman finished the qualifiers as the Tricolor's top scorer with five goals, finding the net in the vital home win against Argentina and hitting a decisive double away to Bolivia in La Paz. However, he will have his work cut out against Boruc in the Polish goal. The Celtic shot-stopper stepped in for the injured Jerzy Dudek during his side's last three qualifying games, making the Polish number one shirt his own with a series of spectacular displays.

The coaches
Colombian-born coach Luis Suarez has worked marvels since taking over from compatriot Hernan Gomez at the helm of Ecuador's national team, the latter stepping aside after the Tricolor's disappointing showing at the 2004 Copa America in Peru. As well as successfully bringing in the fresh blood that Ecuador so badly needed, Suarez was able to emulate his predecessor's historic achievement and take Ecuador to their second FIFA World Cup finals. Poland coach Pawel Janas will be looking at Germany 2006 as the perfect place to try and match his own achievements as a player back in 1982, when he helped his country take third place at that year's finals in Spain. Ever since taking the top job in December 2002, Janas has focused on building a side capable of competing at Germany. In his own words: "We have one clear goal: to get through the group phase."

Go with Ecuador and Ulises de la Cruz.
C´mon Villa!