Germany have endured a nightmare run in European championships since Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal clinched the trophy against the Czech Republic at Wembley in Euro 96.

The World Cup has told a familiar tale of typically impressive German achievement, but the Euros have been a wasteland - now might be time for all that to change.

European football’s superpowers are always keen to put down an early marker on this tournament, and Joachim Low’s side followed Portugal’s example in delivering an impressive opening statement of intent.

Poland may have presented feeble opposition, but Germany showed enough to suggest they could put the disappointments of the last two competitions behind them.

Lukas Podolski’s two goals gave them a comfortable victory, and sterner tests will undoubtedly lie ahead.

But Germany looked like they were ready to justify the big budget backing they have had in a bid to ensure they were perfectly prepared for Euro 2008.

The German football association is reported to have plunged 20 million Euros into the campaign to ensure there are no repeats of recent failures.

Podolski was the spearhead of a lively front line, although the unselfish Miroslav Klose and the stuttering Mario Gomez must display a greater killer instinct in games to come.

And in midfield, Torsten Frings is a superb foil for Michael Ballack, the insurance policy that allows the German talisman to make his trademark forward surges with confidence.

It is in defence where Germany may suffer from close examination, apart from the excellent Philipp Lahm, who demonstrated exactly why has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League.

Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder looked like they could be vulnerable to greater pressure that Poland were able to apply, while Marcell Jansen made an uncertain opening to the tournament.

But coach Low will be well satisfied with this start and will hope it is simply the opening shot in a campaign that will bring the trophy back to Germany after 12 years.

What did you think of Germany’s performance? Did they show signs of being a side ready to go the distance in Euro 2008?

Let us know your thoughts.

by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport