KLAGENFURT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Croatia, both won their first group games at Euro 2008, are all upbeat over their Group B encounter on Thursday at Woerthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt of Austria. Thanks to Poland-born striker Lukas Podolski's two goals, Germany beat Poland 2-0 on Monday, while Croatian midfielder Luka Modric's early penalty kick smashed co-hosts Austria's plan of winning their opening match.

For Germany, this is the first victory at European Championship since 1996 when Germany took the tournament title.

At present, all of their 23 players are in the forms, even midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger sealed the rumor of poor performance by creating many opportunities for his team at the battle against Poland.

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff was thus upbeat over Germany's prospects.

"We are so eager to taking the title that we are more hungry than 1996," Bierhoff said.

At the European football championship in 1996, Bierhoff, then the striker of German team, scored the first golden goal in the world's football history to help Germany seal the top title.

"Our team have already found our own style. Maybe it is difficult for me to compare Germany with other squads, but just like 12 years ago, we are a top-level team," he added.

He was of course optimistic over Germany's next group match with Croatia.

"We know Croatia is a strong rival, the match will be tough, but we will do our best to crush them to win," he said.

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