Germany star Podolski shows no mercy to mother country as he downs Poland

Born in Poland and bred in Germany, Lukas Podolski made it clear where his loyalty lies.

There were no celebrations but no mercy either when he got Joachim Loew's side off to the perfect start by scoring twice in this absorbing contest.

Lukas Podolski celebrates after scoring Germany's second goal against Poland

Podolski, who moved to Germany when he was two, has a taste for big tournaments and was voted the best young player at the 2006 World Cup, where he scored three goals.

A personal favourite of Jurgen Klinsmann when he was the country's coach, they will be reunited this summer when he takes over at Bayern Munich.

His uncanny ability to drift in from the left and score vital goals has marked him out as one of Europe's best players. Euro 2008 is his stage and he put Germany ahead when he prodded Miroslav Klose's pass beyond Artur Boruc after 20 minutes.

His second came 18 minutes from time. Michael Ballack began the move and seven passes later, Podolski's fierce left-foot volley thundered into the net.

Leo Beenhakker's side are no lightweights. They beat Portugal on their way to qualifying for the Championship for the first time since 1960 and drew with Luiz Felipe Scolari's team in the return. Not bad for a side usually regarded as the whipping boys of Europe. Now they have a wily old fox in charge.

Bang: Germany's Lukas Podolski crashes in Germany's second in their crucial clash against Poland

Qualifying from a group that also includes those wild cats Croatia will be tough, but at least they kept Jens Lehmann on his toes.

The Germany goalkeeper barely played a game last season, restricted to 13 appearances for Arsenal after being displaced by Manuel Almunia, and it showed.

He was at fault in the opening minute when he collided with central defender Per Mertesacker to allow Jacek Krzynowek the opportunity to make a telling contribution. Instead, the Poland winger's effort sailed into the stands. A touch of nerves, perhaps, when he needed to take a touch on the edge of the area.

They had stoked this one up in the build up including a decapitated image of Ballack in a Polish newspaper. Big mistake. The Germany captain was at his masterful best, running the show from midfield and reminding Poland of his presence whenever he was in possession.

It was Ballack's ball that set Klose free in the opening minutes but Mario Gomez failed to apply the finishing touch . No matter. Germany were soon back in the groove.

Clemens Fritz, terrorising the Polish defence at every opportunity, was sent down the right and although his cross was miscued by Podolski, Klose should have done better with a header at the far post. Poland were stretched and Germany were in control. Their goal came from a typically incisive move, inspired by Gomez and finished by Podolski. What a player.

Gomez played the ball into the path of Klose and his simple pass across the face of Boruc's goal was met by Podolski's timed run. Despite his obvious talent, his record in front of goal at Bayern Munich is unexceptional, but he comes alive when he plays for his country.

He scored eight times in nine qualifying games and has now scored 26 goals in 49 appearances for Germany. Not a bad return for someone used predominantly wide on the left.

They will need his goals again to progress to the latter stages of the tournament but there is quality throughout this Germany side.

Ballack and his central midfield partner Torsten Frings are among the strongest at the tournament and they have willing runners in right back Philipp Lahm and Fritz to supplement their impressive attack.

Perhaps Germany should have more penetration but there is power all over the pitch and they must be potential winners of this tournament.

Klose, Gomez and Podolski can score goals at crucial times but they did not have it all their own way. Lehmann's early mistake nearly handed the initiative to Poland and they were fortunate to escape when Euzebiusz Smolarek's effort was ruled out for offside.

A let off for Germany, but Loew's impressive side are off the leash.