Lukas Podolski scores twice for Germany in 2-0 win over Poland

With family members in the stadium, Podolski was eager to lift his adopted nation to victory. Podolski was born in Poland but went to Germany as a child and became a citizen.

- My dad and uncle and relatives from Poland were there in the stands - Podolski said. - They're going home tonight, so that's why I went there (to the stands). I didn't celebrate very much because I was born in Poland, I have a big family there, and you have to have some respect for the land.

Normally a striker, Podolski started as a left midfielder and justified the selection by scoring in the 20th minute. Mario Gomez flicked the ball through the defense to Miroslav Klose, who squared to Podolski with goalkeeper Artur Boruc scrambling to get back.

In the 73rd, Bastian Schweinsteiger shook off a half-hearted challenge by Pawel Golanski and fed Klose, who mis-kicked the ball but it bounced to Podolski, who volleyed it in from close range.

- It was one game, we won, we wanted to win, but we have to improve against Croatia - he said of Germany's next opponent in Group B, who beat co-host Austria 1-0 in Vienna.

- It was a bit more difficult to play against Poland two years ago (at the World Cup). They were defensively good today, but I think they wanted to play a little bit more with us. It was easier than two years ago.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said the performance was as important as the result. - Naturally we are pleased with the result - he said. - We had to find out where we stand as a team, because it's the first game. We are a good team, we played very well. It was a demonstration of our will, of our desire.

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker said his team was far from outplayed. - We had some good possibilities - the Dutchman said. - There was a moment in the second half where we were totally dominating the game. But after the second goal, it was over. We played for 70 minutes at the same level as them. The last 20 minutes we want to forget.

Now, he has to lift his beaten team for its next game against Austria in Vienna on Thursday. - Everybody was upset about the result and not happy, but we are still in the tournament and that's what it's all about - Beenhakker said. - We have three or four days to recover physically and mentally and it's part of being a professional. Everybody is a bit upset now. Tomorrow we will see how the team is, then we will start up again. Knowing these guys are mentally strong and against Austria, they will be ready.

Lineups

Germany: Jens Lehmann; Philipp Lahm, Christoph Metzelder, Per Mertesacker, Marcell Jansen, Clemens Fritz (Bastian Schweinsteiger, 55), Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez (Thomas Hitzlsperger, 75th), Miroslav Klose (Kevin Kuranyi, 90).

Poland: Artur Boruc, Pawel Golanski (Marek Saganowski, 75), Jacek Bak, Michal Zewlakow, Marcin Wasilewski, Jacek Krzynowek, Dariusz Dudka, Mariusz Lewandowski, Wojciech Lobodzinski (Lukasz Piszczek, 65), Euzebiusz Smomlarek, Maciej Zurawski (Roger Guerreiro, 45).