Euro 2012: Arsenal-bound Lukas Podolski revels in ‘special moment’

Lukas Podolski described scoring on his 100th Germany appearance as a “special moment” after the Arsenal-bound striker helped his country to a 2-1 victory over Denmark.

The 27-year-old netted from close-range to take his tally to 44 goals in a century of appearances for Germany, with Lars Bender’s winner securing the three points for Joachim Low’s side after Denmark’s Michael Krohn-Dehli’s had equalised.

Podolski, who is set to join Arsenal this summer, made his debut for the national side under Rudi Voller aged just 19, and Euro 2012 is the striker’s fifth major international tournament.

“I never dreamed I would stand here at any time and have a hundred games played,” Podolski told Goal.com. “That’s why it’s a special moment to me.

“The 100th game was something special, and the fact that I scored with my right foot makes it even better.

“It’s not because of the goal or because I was voted man of the match, but because I’ve got 100 games and we won and are in the quarter-final. But we want to reach the final and the next task is important.

“The most important thing was that we made it into the next round. It was a hard-fought match.”

The forward was born in Poland and could have played for the co-hosts but opted to link-up with Voller’s side ahead of Euro 2004.

Poldoski admits he was disappointed to see Poland eliminated from the tournament, but suggested Frank Smuda’s side were too complacent in what was perceived to be the weakest group.

“It’s a pity that Poland were eliminated at home,” he added. “Maybe they took it too easy and thought ‘We have an easy group and are already in the next round’.”

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