The Bayern Munich forward's 13th- and 72nd-minute goals were augmented by Michael Ballack in the 25th and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 36th as Germany moved to 3-0 in Group D.

``People said it would be hard to keep up the level after the World Cup, but we showed today we can do that,'' Podolski said.

Slovakia's Stanislav Varga scored the first goal against Germany since Joachim Loew took over coach as coach five matches ago.

In the 58th minute, Varga headed into an open goal as goalkeeper Jens Lehmann failed to snatch a free kick away from him after charging out of his goal.

Although Slovakia trailed 3-0 at the half, the team pressured Germany after the break.

It wasn't until a breakaway led to the second goal by Podolski _ his sixth of the Euro 2008 campaign _ that the Germans gained control again.

But Germany overwhelmed Slovakia, which fell to 2-2, for most of the match. Loew's five straight wins since he took over is the best for a German coach in history.

``I think it was an impressive first half by us _ very mature, very controlled,'' Ballack said. ``It's just fun to play for this team.''

A harmless header from forward Robert Vittek was Slovakia's only chance before the break as Slovakia looked intimidated by the Germans.

Podolski side-footed in a cross from Klose in the 10th minute against the slower Slovakian defenders.

Germany should have had another as Klose mistimed his jump on a cross while unmarked in front of the goal, but Ballack picked up the 2-0 by diving forward to head in Philipp Lahm's cross.

It was the German captain's 34th goal in 74 matches for the national team.

Slovakia goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky's bobble of a Ballack attempt was put back by Schweinsteiger.

German fans caused trouble during the match. About 80 baton-wielding Slovakian policeman clashed with troublemakers in the stands, arresting several of them.