Germany coach Low hails forwards after Poland win
Monday, 09 Jun 2008 10:53
Lukas Podolski grabbed a brace for Germany against Poland, the nation of his birth
Germany coach Joachim Low has praised his entire forward line after seeing his side record a win in their opening match of Euro 2008 against Poland.
Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski grabbed both goals in a relatively comfortable 2-0 success for the pre-tournament favourites.
But Low, who is taking charge of the national side for the first time at a major tournament, chose not to single out Podolski for praise after the win.
"The whole team, not just Lukas Podolski, played well," he said afterwards.
"We know Lukas is a very dangerous attacker for any goalkeeper, but Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose helped him immensely."
Gomez, who is half-Spanish, and Poland-born Klose came close with chances of their own but it was Podolski's predatory instincts that always looked to pose the greatest threat to the underdogs.
But despite enjoying a superb day, Podolski refused to celebrate either goal because of his family heritage.
"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," he told the BBC.