GERMANY coach Joachim Low believes his team can still make several improvements after their winning start to Euro 2008.

Germany kicked off their Group B challenge in Klagenfurt yesterday with a 2-0 win over neighbours Poland - opponents they have never lost to.

With that record comfortably intact after 16 meetings, Germany can also reflect on a first victory in the European Championship finals since winning the tournament in England 12 years ago.

Two goals from Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski last night lifted Germany to the top of Group B - above Croatia, who beat co-hosts Austria 1-0 yesterday.

Low, however, is eager to point out there is much more work to be done.

“The European Championships are a bit of a marathon, so we have a lot of work ahead of us,” he said.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic admitted the occasion got to his players as they struggled to a 1-0 victory over Austria in their Euro 2008 opener.

Luka Modric scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the fourth minute at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, but Bilic’s side were forced to hang onto their lead as the co-hosts piled on the pressure.

It offered encouragement to England boss Fabio Capello, who was in the stands scouting his opponents for next season’s World Cup qualifiers.

“Some players were overwhelmed by playing at a great tournament but we started off with the best possible way - with a win,” Bilic said.

“In the first 35 minutes we played excellently, of course the early lead contributed to that."

City defender Vedran Corluka played the full game for Croatia.

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