Podolski brace gives Germany comfortable 2-0 win over Poland

Two-goal hero Lukas Podolski celebrates with his German team-mates

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Sunday, 08, Jun 2008 09:42

Germany secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over rivals Poland in their opening game of Euro 2008 after two strikes from Lukas Podolski.

The Polish-born German tapped in Miroslav Klose's cross in the first half before volleying in his second from the edge of the area on 72 minutes after the Polish defence failed to clear their lines.

Poland had good periods of possession but never really troubled the Germans who looked dangerous in attack with Podolski, Kolse and Mario Gomez all looking threatening early on.

Poor defending from Poland saw Klose through on goal in the opening stages but the German squared the ball for Gomez when he should have shot and the chance was lost.

But Klose was put through on 20 minutes and again squared the ball, although this time he made the right decision and the on rushing Podolski was left with a simple finish.

Poland should have gone into the break on level terms but Maciej Zurawski could only pull his shot wide of the left hand post after good work from Wojciech Lobodzinski on the right hand side.

Germany looked comfortable after the break and Michael Ballack went close to making it 2-0 when he met Philip Lahm's cut back and slammed his shot towards the top corner.

But Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc produced a stunning save to tip the ball over the bar.

There was nothing Boruc could do to stop Podolski's second after Ballack's misplaced pass was not cleared.

The ball fell to Bastian Schweinsteiger who laid it off to Klose, but the striker's shot bobbled into the air and into the path of Podolski who smashed his shot into the top corner.

Jens Lehmann was called into action late on when he saved well from a Marek Saganowski header but the Germans were rarely troubled in a comfortable win.

Richard Aylen