Euro 2012: Podolski to join 100 club for Germany

Lukas Podolski will play his 100th game for Germany against Denmark this evening. His sights, however, are set on another milestone – equalling Franz Beckenbauer’s 103 appearances during this European Championship.

That would also mean reaching the final of the tournament.

“The goal this summer is not the 100, but the 103 and I am optimistic that it will happen,” Podolski said.

Germany need only a draw against Denmark in Lviv to win Group B and make sure of staying in Gdansk, their base for the tournament, for the quarter-finals.

The Germans have looked perhaps the most impressive team of the tournament so far but they will bear in mind a defeat by their northern neighbours in the final of Euro 92.

Denmark have already produced a major upset at this tournament, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in their first match. But they then lost to Portugal 3-2 and must now seek something against Germany to advance.

Germany have won both their matches, edging Portugal 1-0 and the Netherlands 2-1.

“You would think that with two wins, you are through, but that’s not the case,” Podolski said.

Germany have not won a major tournament since their third European Championship title in 1996. This gifted generation is eager to finally clinch one after finishing third in the past two World Cups and losing the Euro 2008 final to Spain.

“The only thing we are missing is a title to crown our development over the last few years and we want to show here that we can win titles,” the Arsenal-bound Podolski said.

Podolski was born in Poland and would like to see his native land reach the quarter-finals, where they could play against Germany.

“That would, unfortunately, be the end of the road [for Poland],” said Podolski, who scored twice against Poland at Euro 2008.

Podolski turned 27 on the day Germany arrived in Gdansk, on 4 June, and was warmly received when the team conducted an open training session before 10,000 people.

He made his debut for Germany in 2004 and has scored 43 goals in 99 games. Although nominally a forward, he has been playing on the left flank at Euro 2012 since coach Joachim Löw uses only one central striker.

The lack of a goal has prompted some criticism but Podolski said he was asked to perform more defensive duties in the first two games and feels he did his job well.

While Podolski will clearly keep his place tonight, Germany will be without suspended right back Jerome Boateng.

Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl and central midfielder Niki Zimling were both injured against Portugal. Rommedahl is almost certainly out with a left hamstring injury. Zimling, with a left calf injury, is also in doubt.

Rommedahl would most likely be replaced by Tobias Mikkelsen and Zimling by Jakob Poulsen.