Germany coach Joachim Low paid tribute to Lukas Podolski after his double strike gave them victory in their opening Euro 2008 clash with Poland.
Two strikes from Lukas Podolski ensured Germany got their Group B campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 success over Poland.The Bayern Munich striker found the net midway through each period as Joachim Low's pre-tournament favourites cruised to victory against a side who were predicted to push them all the way.Low started with an attacking formation with Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez and Podolski named in a three-pronged frontline.
But Poland refused to be overawed and gave as good as they got for long periods of the match without ever really threatening Jens Lehmann's goal.It might have been different had Jacek Krzynowek converted a difficult half-volley from 20 yards after Maciej Zurawski prevented Lehmann from claiming an up-and-under after just two minutes.
But Germany fired a signal of their intent when Klose, who won the Golden Boot at the 2006 World Cup, opted to pass rather than go for goal after beating the offside trap only to over-hit his ball to Gomez with goalkeeper Artur Boruc grounded.However despite his early aberration, Klose made amends on 20 minutes when he again profited from slack defending from the two Poland centre-halves to again spring the offside trap.
This time he correctly opted to square to Podolski, who swept the ball into the unguarded net for the simplest of openers.Poland refused to give up heart and their energetic play was almost rewarded on 36 minutes when Zurawski met Wojciech Lobodzinski's pinpoint cross from 12 yards with a first-time shot which he dragged just wide of the far post.
Leo Beenhakker's side started the second period in a positive fashion and Ebi Smolarek was flagged marginally offside after being played in one-on-one on Lehmann.
But after slowly regaining their control of the match, Germany stepped up through the gears midway through the period as the impressive Michael Ballack saw a thunderous strike from 15 yards tipped over the crossbar by Boruc.Two minutes later, Podolski wrapped up the win as he profited from a slice of good fortune to double the advantage.
Klose's mis-hit fell perfectly for the diminutive frontman and has crashed home an unstoppable 12-yard volley into the top corner of the net to end Poland's resistance.Bastian Schweinsteiger, Podolski and substitute Thomas Hitzlsperger also had chances to extend the lead in the closing stages as Germany sent out a message to the rest of their rivals that they are genuine challengers for Euro 2008 glory.
Goals
Match highlights
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