Germany coach Joachim Loew enjoyed yesterday's win against Poland as much as anyone but the coach was quick to point out the team's faults in a bid to dampen any early euphoria.

"It was a great experience," Loew, who is in his first tournament as head coach, told reporters after two goals from Lukas Podolski took Germany to the top of the group.

"There is always a current that shoots through you when you sit on the bench during a game. It was a great atmosphere and everyone is happy to get this tournament underway.

"But I think we've got to stay down to earth. At the end of the first half we let ourselves drop back too far, we did not have the confidence we needed, our organisation wasn't great and we lost the ball too often.

"We've got to improve. We've got a long way ahead of us."

Germany took the lead after Podolski finished off a swift move involving fellow forwards Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose.

They lost their momentum before the break after chances came and went, however, and it was only when Podolski smashed in that they regained real command.

Their next match is against Croatia, who beat co-hosts Austria in their first match and the players are anxious to get qualification sorted out as quickly as possible.

"We let Poland have control of the ball a bit too much in the second half but then we made it at the right moment," captain Michael Ballack told reporters. "It's always good to start with a win. It gives us self-confidence. Croatia will be possibly a decisive match for the group and we want to win it." One curious aspect of the match was to see Podolski, who was born in Poland, hardly celebrating his goals.

"I was born in Poland and I've got a big family," the forward explained. "It's a part of my heart.

"The match tonight was just a first step. We've got to keep going. We can't relax now. We've got to go on the attack again."