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.

【体坛英语资讯：Preview: Germany upbeat, Croatia confident of Euro 2008 clash】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：McGrady, Yao lead Rockets to win

★ 体坛资讯：Iran tops group of death, beating China 77-68

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Movie chief testifies in Hollywood wiretap trial

★ 体坛英语资讯：Alonso crashes out of Japanese GP

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Cage confronts naked intruder in home

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hurdler Liu to skip Golden League for Games

★ 体坛资讯：Bucks draft Yi Jianlian of China

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinese football teams hopes to make most of lucky draws

★ 体坛英语资讯：Li storms to victory in Aussie hardcourt final

★ 体坛英语资讯：Wang ready to bounce back in 2008