Manager Low tells his German stars to aim high after opening win over Poland

Germany kicked off their Group B challenge in Klagenfurt with a 2-0 win over neighbours Poland - opponents they have never lost to.  

With that record comfortably intact after 16 meetings, Germany can also reflect on a first victory in the European Championship finals since winning the tournament in England 12 years ago.  

Scroll down for more

Marching on: Low's side are in pole position in Group B

Two goals from Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski lifted Germany to the top of Group B - above Croatia, who beat co-hosts Austria 1-0.  

Low, however, is eager to point out there is much more work to be done.  

"The European Championships are a bit of a marathon, so we have a lot of work ahead of us," he said.   "But over the next few days, we will focus on our next opponent and do some fine-tuning."  

Low was satisfied with the first 45 minutes against Poland but less so with what followed after the break. 

"During the first half we were on top of our game and had a number of good moves," he pointed out.   "Going forward, we had a number of opportunities - particularly on the counter-attack. 

"The second half, I believe that from time to time we fell back too far and needed to be a little more aggressive - although I feel this is quite natural when you are in the lead by one goal. 

"When it came to the execution of the passes, perhaps some precision was lacking - and sometimes the ball was lost.  

"These are the things that you always focus on - this is the very first match of the tournament. We are happy to have won it, but this is nothing but the first step."  

Poland will also be in action again on Thursday when they meet Austria in Vienna.

Coach Leo Beenhakker- like his team, involved in his first ever European Championship finals - is confident his players are strong enough to put the defeat behind them.  

"The first reaction after the match, everybody was depressed by the result and not happy," said the veteran Dutchman.  

"But at the same time the reaction was that we are still in the tournament.  

"That's how you play in the Euros or World Cup - because you only have three of four days to recover mentally and physically.  

"I am sure, knowing how mentally strong my guys are, that in the match against Austria they will be ready again."