An emotional Lukas Podolski struck in either half to give Germany an ideal start to their UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B campaign with victory against debutants Poland in Klagenfurt.

Polish links
The FC Bayern München striker, a man with strong Polish connections, produced a vintage display as the three-time European champions recorded a solid win, putting Germany in front with a simple finish midway through the first half. Poland, in their first final tournament match, pressed for a way back into the game but struggled to unpick the German defence and Podolski finally ended their hopes with an emphatic volley 18 minutes from time.

Krzynówek chance
With national pride and neighbourly rivalry adding an extra frisson and both sides keen to get off to a positive start there was plenty at stake, and it was Poland who made the brighter opening as they went in search of their first victory against Germany. Leo Beenhakker's side came close in the opening minute when Jens Lehmann got tangled up with Per Mertsacker while trying to deal with a high cross and the ball fell invitingly to Jacek Krzynówek, but the VfL Wolfsburg midfielder blazed over.

Gómez goes close
Germany responded in kind to signal their own intent, and should have opened the scoring after Michael Ballack sprang the Polish offside trap in to release Miroslav Klose into an ocean of space on the left. The Polish-born striker bore down on Artur Boruc's goal but instead elected to pass and Mario Gómez was unable to make a proper connection at full stretch with the goalkeeper stranded, the ball slipping narrowly the wrong side of the post.

Germany began to look the stronger as the first half unfolded and duly went in front in the 20th minute after again catching their opponents flat-footed at the back. Gómez sent Klose clear on the right and this time the square pass was perfect delivered, leaving Podolski to tuck the ball neatly past Boruc. Head bowed and unsmiling, the Polish-born scorer denied himself a true celebration out of respect for his heritage. Maciej Żurawski might have levelled while Gómez could have increased the German advantage with a clever flick, yet half-time came with no change to the scoreline.

Ballack could have strengthened Germany's position two minutes into the second half but his attempt skewed awkwardly off his thigh. Poland were far from out of it, however, maintaining a healthy share of possession without making significant inroads with their supporters behind the goal providing plenty of encouragement. Those fans were further heartened as substitute Roger Guerreiro made some surging runs down the left, while Euzebiusz Smolarek had an effort ruled out for offside.

The alert Boruc then tipped over Ballack's well-struck effort, but he was powerless to prevent Podoski sealing the points in the 72nd minute – few goalkeepers would have kept it out. A swift passing move was cut off lby Paweł Golański yet substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger dispossessed the defender and, although Klose missed his kick, Podolski showed how it should be done with a sweet left-foot volley. This time he allowed himself a satisfied smile and he was fully entitled to it having given Germany their first finals win since the Czech Republic were defeated in the EURO '96™ showpiece. Poland's long wait to overcome Germany continues but they next face co-hosts Austria on Thursday, when Germany play today's other winners Croatia.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300685/report=rp.html