Podolski grabs brace as Germany triumph

Bayern Munich team-mates Miroslav Klose and Podolski - two of three Poland-born players in the Germany squad - combined in the 20th minute for the latter to put the 1996 European champions ahead, before Podolski sealed the win midway through the second half.

The victory continues Germany's impressive unbeaten record against the Poles, which now stands at 12 wins and four draws, and saw them replace Croatia at the top of Group B.

Germany, one of the tournament favourites despite not having won a finals match since that 1996 triumph in England, suffered a nervy start when from 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, though, Poland midfielder Jacek Krzynowek blazed the loose ball into the massed ranks of German fans behind the goal.

An entertaining start continued with Poland captain Maciej Zurawski just failing to get on the end of a low cross from the right as the German defence again looked uncomfortable under pressure.

Germany took the lead not long after though when Klose again broke the Poland offside trap, with Mario Gomez sending the striker clear.

Once more Klose unselfishly opted to set up a team-mate, and this time his pass across the face of goal took Celtic's Artur Boruc out of play and allowed Gleiwitz-born Podolski the simplest of tap-ins.

Klose, who turns 30 on Monday, was unable to grab himself an early birthday present as he mis-hit his shot after 72 minutes, but the ball spooned up nicely for Podolski who slammed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net.

That left Poland with a mountain to climb to avoid defeat in their first appearance at the European Championship finals, but Beenhakker's side almost gave themselves a lifeline when Guerreiro's near-post cross was glanced goalwards by Marek Saganowski.