Podolski brace sinks Poland

LUKAS PODOLSKI netted both goals against the country of his birth to give Germany a winning start to their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in Klagenfurt last night.

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.