SAINT-ÉTIENNE-Experience forged in the German league will help Switzerland's Bundesliga stars when they face Robert Lewandowski's Poland in the last 16 at Euro 2016 on Saturday.

Switzerland and Poland have both qualified for the knockout phase of a European Championship finals for the first time. But Adam Nawalka's Poland have reason to be more optimistic with four wins in their ten meetings, while the Swiss have won just once. With 11 of the Swiss squad having plied their trade in Germany's top flight last season -- including Arsenal-bound Granit Xhaka -- the Swiss know what to expect at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

The main threat to the Swiss goal comes not just from Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, but Borussia Borussia Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski. His goal off the bench sealed Poland's 1-0 win over Ukraine which confirmed their place in the last 16 as Group C runners up behind Germany.

Dortmund left-back Lukasz Piszczek is always a threat with crosses from the left flank for Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik in the middle. "They're definitely a difficult opponent," said Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach. "We all know Lewandowski from the Bundesliga.  It would be foolish to call Poland a one-man team though. There are many other quality players in their side."

The Swiss could have played Germany in Saint-Etienne, but they face just as tough a challenge against Poland. The Poles held the world champions to a goalless draw in Paris in their group stage game.

"They might not be as big a name as Germany, but Poland proved how strong they are when we drew 2-2 with them in Wroclaw in November 2014," said Switzerland's Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schaer. "Lewandowski is their biggest player, but other members of their squad play for clubs in some of the best leagues in Europe. "We respect them, but we're not scared."

Lewandowski was the top scorer in Euro 2016 qualifiers with 13 goals and bagged 42 goals in all competitions for Bayern last season. The 27-year-old has yet to open his account at the finals in France and says the Swiss will start as favourites to reach the quarter-finals. "The Swiss are a very good team, one of the best in Europe, and they are the favourites," Lewandowski told Polish news agency PAP. "But like any team they have their weak points and I hope that we'll be able to take advantage of them."

Since their goalless draw against France on Sunday, the Swiss have had two extra rest days to recover compared to the Poles, who beat Ukraine 1-0 on Tuesday. "Four days rest will be enough for us," said Lewandowski. "I feel this won't make much of a difference."

The Swiss have no injury concerns before Vladimir Petkovic's side head to Saint-Etienne. Poland's main concern is injury to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with Lukasz Fabianski again set to deputise between the posts.

Euro facts: Switzerland

n             Switzerland have progressed from the group stage of a Euro for the first time in four attempts; their record in 12 finals games now reads W2 D4 L6.

n             Switzerland have not made it through a knockout match at a major tournament in four attempts since overcoming Germany in a replay of a first-round game at the 1938 FIFA World Cup – which, like UEFA Euro 2016, was staged in France.

n             Switzerland are undefeated at these finals (W1 D2) and are on a four-match unbeaten streak in all games (W2 D2). Their record in qualifying was W7 D0 L3, with two of those reversals coming against section winners England.

n             This is Switzerland's first outing in Saint-Etienne. Two Swiss clubs have played UEFA fixtures at the stadium: FC LaChaux-de-Fonds drew 2-2 at AS Saint-Étienne in a 1964/65 European Champion Clubs' Cup preliminary round tie, while FC Basel 1893 – featuring Euro squad members Michael Lang and Breel Embolo – crashed 3-2 to Les Verts in this season's UEFA Europa League round of 32.

n             This is Switzerland's first continental final tournament since co-hosting UEFA Euro 2008 with Austria.

Euro facts: Poland

n             Poland are appearing at their third straight Euro final tournament; prior to UEFA Euro 2016 they had never won a finals game (D3 L3), but here they have advanced through the group stage for the first time with a record of W2 D1.

n             This is Poland's first match in Saint-Etienne. Three Polish clubs played UEFA away fixtures against St-Étienne: Legia Warszawa were 1-0 victors in a 1969 European Cup tie but both subsequent visitors – Ruch Chorzów in 1975 and Widzew Łódź in 1979 – lost without scoring.

n             Poland have not conceded a goal in their last four games, their three clean sheets in France following a 0-0 friendly draw with Lithuania.

n             Poland's greatest success on the international stage was winning bronze medals at the 1974 and 1982 World Cups.

n             Robert Lewandowski was the top Polish scorer in qualifying with 13 goals, matching the competition record set by Northern Ireland's David Healy in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying.

n             Poland netted 33 goals during qualification – two more than the next most prolific country, England.