Podolski scores twice for Germany to sink Poland

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.

“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.

“It was one game we won. We wanted to win, but we have to improve against Croatia. It was a bit more difficult to play against Poland two years ago, 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. We had to find out where we stand as a team, because it’s the first game,” Loew said. “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,” he 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.

Gomez did better in setting up his teammates than finishing himself. Early in the game, Klose used a perfect through ball from Michael Ballack to feed Gomez, but the striker could not prod the ball it in despite sliding at the far post. Later, he collected a good cross from Clemens Fritz but shot wide. Klose, with his back to to the net, tried to touch the ball in but missed.

Poland, winless against Germany in 15 previous games, came out with determination and ambition to wipe out 75 years of frustration and nearly scored a couple of minutes into the match. Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann collided with central defender Per Mertesacker and the ball rolled to Jacek Krzynowek, but his shot went high.

Wojciech Lobodzinski, who sent several useful crosses from the right in the first half, found Maciej Zuravski in the 36th, but he drove his volley way over the crossbar.

With Germany seeking to secure victory, Philipp Lahm charged down the right and crossed to Ballack, who sent a volley but Boruc made a tremendous save by tipping the ball over with his left hand in the 70th.

In the other Group B game, Croatia beat co-host Austria 1-0 in Vienna.