Germany were typically efficient without being spectacular but it was still too much for Leo Beenhakker's Poland. Podolski's strikes, the second of which was a wonderful volley, sent Joachim Low's men to the top of Group B after Croatia's 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria earlier in the day.

Poland had a wonderful opportunity to take a surprise lead with less than a minute on the clock. Jens Lehmann and Per Mertesacker collided as they sought to deal with a high cross in the area with the German keeper only able to palm the ball down on the edge of the box. Jacek Krzynowek pounced on the loose bouncing ball but could not keep his first-time shot down and Germany escaped.

The Poles were obviously seeking to keep a high defensive line but the tactic got them into trouble on a number of occasions, the first of which came after only four minutes. Miroslav Klose beat the poorly-executed offside trap to go one-on-one with Artur Boruc but instead of taking the opportunity, the Bayern Munich striker tried to lay the ball off to Mario Gomez, who could only stab wide on the stretch with the goal gaping.

Poland failed to heed their warning, and the German's were in front on 20 minutes. This time it was Gomez who escaped and his pass across goal found Polish-born Lukas Podolski who side-footed into the empty net.

Lehmann showed good handling in the 28th minute when he was forced into a low, diving save from Wojciech Lobodzinski's drive from the right-angle of the penalty area but Poland's best chance of the half arrived seven minutes later.

Marcin Wasilewski escaped down the right and his cut back found Maciej Zurawski who pulled his effort across the face of goal and wide of Lehmann's far post.

Germany wasted an identical opportunity a minute later when Clemens Fritz cut back to Gomez but the Stuttgart hitman also dragged his effort wide of the target.

Beenhakker would have had some strong words for his side at half-time and they appeared to do the trick as Poland looked reinvigorated after the break but they failed to properly test Lehmann in the German goal.

Michael Ballack however did force Boruc into a wonderful save mid-way through the half. Philip Lahm got forward down the right and found Ballack in space in the Poland box. The German skipper's side-footed effort looked destined for the roof of the net until Celtic goalkeeper Boruc wonderfully readjusted to flick the ball over the bar.

Boruc was powerless to stop Germany doubling their lead in the 72nd minute. Pawel Golanski was caught in possession just outside the box by substitute Bastian Shweinsteiger and although Klose horribly missed his kick, the ball fell kindly to Podolski, who smashed a first-time volley into the top corner.

Southampton's Marek Saganowski had a near-post header blocked by Lehmann as Poland looked to give themselves a lifeline but Germany comfortably saw out the match to earn the three points.