The Republic of Ireland players have shaken off the disappointment of the loss to Croatia and are ready for the challenges that await them in the next two Euro 2012 group games.
The 3-1 defeat in Poznan leaves Ireland needing at least four points against the last two world champions, Italy and Spain, to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
For defender Richard Dunne the match that ended of Ireland's 14-game unbeaten run is forgotten about and the team are determined to leave their mark on the tournament.
Dunne said: "Obviously we were disappointed after the game. It's now a case of nothing to lose.
"We are playing the best team in the world and that in itself is an exciting game and something to look forward to.
"There's the fact that we know that we can't afford to lose and have to get something out of it as well. We're pleased that we've qualified for the championships but we want to come here and make a statement.
"We are in one the hardest groups possible but we feel, regardless of what happens, we are going to give it everything. We can look back when it's over and know we've given it our best shot."
Ireland have toiled for ten years to get back to a major tournament and Dunne was disappointed that the team did not play to their potential on Sunday.
He said: "We just want to get out now and get playing the game. We've had three weeks here to build ourselves up for the opening game and then we go and lose it.
"We want to get out and prove we are good enough side. We have worked really hard for a long time to get here.
"I think it is similar to the game in Paris a couple of years ago. We lost the home leg and it was all or nothing and it is the same now for the next two games.
"We have to get points out of both games and we have to win one of them. It's imperative that we do and we'll do what we can to pressure them and push them."
Dunne missed training on Monday afternoon with blisters but is now back in action and will resume his partnership with Sean St Ledger in the centre of Ireland's defence.
The Irish defence will be expecting a busy evening regardless of what formation Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque uses at the PGE Arena.
Dunne said: "We know how good Spain are and obviously Italy afterwards. It's a tough task, but we always do better against the odds, so we are looking forward to the challenge.
"It's very hard no matter how they play. The will have a lot of possession, so whether they have strikers or not they will have players around the area. It is just about us pressing them.
"It is still a major achievement for us to be here. There's no point sulking that we've lost a game. We have got to go and enjoy it and make sure we get a result."
Giovanni Trapattoni has preached numerous times about learning the little details and he will hope his players have learned how to handle playing on the big stage.
Nerves played a factor in Ireland's poor start against Croatia, Simon Cox admitted this week, but he believes they won't be hindered in that way tomorrow night.
Cox said: "We know now what the atmosphere is going to be like and the stage we are going to be playing on, so a little bit of experience will pay off for us from the first game.
"I think there were probably a little bit of nerves (against Croatia). We wanted to bed ourselves into the game and got hit in the third minute, which was a bit of a sucker blow.
"We now know what the atmosphere is going to be like so we shouldn't have that problem in the Spain game.
The Croatia defeat stung and hurt for a few days but can't afford to dwell on past disappointments with the word champions coming next.
Cox, who was introduced on the left wing when Ireland were chasing the game, prefers a central striking role, but is willing to play anywhere for a team in the European Championships.
He said: "You don't come to a European Championship or major tournaments and get easy games and we know that. If we want to progress we have to beat the best.
"I would like to play as much as I can. If that means playing wide, that means playing wide. I can do a job for the team.
"They are obviously a very good side with world class players, but so have we. We feel that we can put ourselves up against the best."
Glenn Mason, Sopot
