The attacking midfielder believes defeat in his country's first game would mean their chances of surviving the group stage would have to depend on the results of their other Group A rivals - Russia and the Czech Republic.

Blaszczykowski is determined to avoid such as scenario.

"The first match is the most important – it will practically be a small final for us," the 26-year-old midfielder told Uefa.com.

"We have played in championships a couple of times and lost the first game. It means you don't have your destiny completely in your own hands any more.

"We have to remember that, and make sure it doesn't happen."

The match between Poland and Greece takes place at the National Stadium in Warsaw.