by Glenn Mason
The long wait is almost at an end. Let the games begin.
Ten years since they played at major championships and 24 years since they thrilled us at Euro '88, the Republic of Ireland are back on the big stage
The team that takes to the pitch in Poznan on Sunday night will contain four players that experienced penalty shootout heartache against Spain in Suwon in 2002.
Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Damien Duff have all said this week that they did not believe it would take this long to achieve another qualification.
Talk of retirement is never far away now with that group and speaking to reporters this week, Duff acknowledged that it could be his last chance to play tournament football
He said: "It's been a long wait for everybody. The fans have waited a long time for it and I think everybody at home is really excited.
"A few of us are into our 30s now. This could be our last major tournament, so you have to savour it."
They have been in camp for three weeks, but have been working for this moment for four years under Giovanni Trapattoni.
The hand of Henry denied them (a penalty shoot-out) in the last qualification campaign and there have been other disappointments over the past decade, but they will be forgotten once the whistle blows at 7.45pm on Sunday.
Ireland have never lost the opening game in the four tournaments they have competed in and will be more than happy to extend that run.
Although it means they will have to produce big performances against Spain and Italy to reach the last eight.
Trapattoni is not unduly worried about Croatia's superior ranking and cited his experience of playing against, and nullifying, opponents such as Pele, Eusebio and Johan Cruyff as reasons for optimism.
He said: "They are before us in ranking but we played them in a friendly game. Many players play in England, Germany. Our team know their opponent but no result is confirmed until the match is played.
"I played against Pele, Eusebio and Cruyff many times. They were the big, big stars. I won the game. I won the game with the team. I won the game against them. One on one. That is a good stimulus."
Croatia are a very talented side yet have shown over the past six years of Slaven Bilic's tenure that they can have as many bad days as good days.
Ireland's confidence is high after a run of 14 games unbeaten and they have never lost a competitive away game during Trapattoni's reign.
Both teams have had injury concerns in the run-up to the tournament with Keith Fahey, Ivo Ilicevic and Ivica Olic missing out, while Given and Vedran Corluka have been major concerns.
The loss of the Donegal goalkeeper would have been a serious blow to Trapattoni, as much for his experience as his ability between the sticks.
The candles lit and prayers offered have had the desired effect and he is fit enough to start despite niggling injuries to his knee and calf.
His performance against Hungary showed that he is clearly still Ireland's number one, despite the emergence of Kieren Westwood, and his return is a major boost to the men in front of him.
Given is the base of the team's spine with Richard Dunne and Keane the key vertebrae further up.
Dunne will once again be called on to produce the kind of dominating displays that helped Ireland reach the finals.
Croatian danger man Nikica Jelavic, who was in inspired form for Everton at the end of the Premier League season, will be partnered by either Eduardo or Mario Mandzukic.
Captain Darijo Srna will cause a threat on the right that Stephen Ward will have to be aware of and he may need Aiden McGeady to provide cover.
At the other end, Keane and Doyle will fancy their chances against the central pairing of Corkuka and Gordon Schildenfeld.
The area where Croatia are expected to have the clear advantage is in midfield, with Luka Modric pulling the strings.
Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews will have their work cut out, with Damien Duff likely to play further inside, and Robbie Keane dropping back to stop Modric picking the ball up from deep positions.
It looks set to be a cagey affair with both sides knowing an opening defeat could effectively spell the end of their tournament.
If the game is to be won, it may well be done so from the bench.
Expect Shane Long or Jonathan Walters to have a major say on the outcome.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Croatia.
STADIUM - Miejski Stadium
The only rebuilt stadium of the four venues in Poland is the birthplace of the famous 'Poznan' celebration and will have a capacity of 40,000 for this tournament.
With a retractable roof and steep stands its offers excellent views for almost all of the fans, but there are some seats with restricted views.
The steep stands led to concern over the state of the pitch and the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) was brought in to oversee the laying of the new surface.
Irish and Croatian fans will provide plenty of colour and there promises to be party atmosphere on Sunday evening.
REFEREE - Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
The 39-year-old son of a referee has a wealth experience at international and Champions League level.
He was the man in the middle for Ireland's second leg against Estonia last November and has already taken charge of European finals at U-17 and U20 levels.
Sander Van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra will be his assistants for the tournament.
