KLAGENFURT, June 8 - Lukas Podolski offset two goals against the country of his birth to give Germany a winning start to their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in Klagenfurt.Bayern Munich mates Miroslav Klose and Podolski - two of the three players born in Poland Germany the squadron - combined in 20 minutes for the latter to put the 1996 European champions ahead, before Podolski sealed the victory midway through the second half.
The victory in Germany remains impressive unbeaten record against the Poles, which now stands at 12 victories and four draws, and saw to replace Croatia at the top of Group B.
Germany, one of the favourites of the tournament despite not having won a final match since the triumph in 1996 in England, suffered a nervy start from where the first attack of the match goalkeeper Jens Lehmann spilled a cross after colliding with team mate - Per Mertesacker.
Fortunately for the former Arsenal custodian, however, Poland midfielder Jacek Krzynowek track the ball loose in the mass ranks of German fans behind the goal.
Joachim Low's side do not have to wait a long time to create your opportunity despite the opening, and what they actually should have resulted in the first goal of the game.
Through Michael Ballack-ball Klose sent away, but instead of taking the opportunity to itself the striker opted to slip the ball inside to Mario Gomez, who with the huge target was unable to stretch enough to get a connection clean and dribble his effort agonisingly wide of the post.
An entertaining start continued with Poland captain Maciej Zurawski not only to get at the end of a low cross from the right as the German defence once more uncomfortable waiting under pressure.
Germany took the lead not long after when Klose although once again broke the offside trap Poland, by sending Gomez striker clear.
Again Klose unselfishly opted to create a team mate, and this time their passage across the face of the goal was Celtic's Artur Boruca offside and allowed Gleiwitz-Podolski was born the simplest of tap-ins.
The Germans are good value for his leadership at that time, but Poland were not without their chances and Wojciech Lobodzinski unit saw its power under the diving Lehmann, Zurawski dragged before a grand bargain decent far post during a purple patch Leo Beenhakker's men.
At the other end Gomez missed a similar opportunity for Germany after good work from Clemens Fritz right before Mariusz Lewandowski saw Lehmann save his long-range piledriver with what was the final effort worthy of a first period.
The average time of the animated introduction Roger Guerreiro gave Poland a spring in his step at the beginning of the second period, but despite that the German back line of much thinking, the Poles are still playing up to date as the game entered the final 30 minutes.
Poland may have been able to enjoy much of the possession, but Germany was looking a threat on the counterattack and substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger tested Boruca with a low drive before the Polish goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to deny Ballack finger at the 70 th minute.
The Chelsea man looked at some Result after locking Philipp Lahm's Cut-back, but Boruca is equal to that of Germany skipper rising shot to Poland to remain in touch.
Boruca the good work was undone however shortly afterwards when Germany pounce on a defensive error by Pawel Golanski to double their lead.
Golanski took too long in an attempt to clear the ball and Schweinsteiger was able to block before feeding the ball inside Klose.
Klose, who turns 30 on Monday, he was unable to seize an early birthday present as he mis-hit his shot but the ball very well for Spooner Podolski an unstoppable volley slammed into the roof of the net.
That left Poland with a mountain to climb to avoid defeat in their first appearance in the European Championship finals, but Beenhakker's side almost took a lifesaver when Guerreiro, near post cross glanced goalwards by Marek Saganowski.
However, Lehmann blocked Saganowski's header and Poland were unable to capitalize on the subsequent loose ball.
Podolski had a chance to grab itself coincides with the ball with two minutes remaining, but shot with his less favoured right foot from 15 yards, but although he did not get his hat trick, he had already done enough to win Germany the points.
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