MUNICH, June 24 - Two uninspired performances in Germany's opening World Cup games saw Lukas Podolski written off as lacking at least the nerve and perhaps the skill to live up to his reputation as the best German striker in a generation.

After a self-affirming goal against Ecuador and now a match-winning double against Sweden, the 21-year-old has shown he can provide the cutting edge that Germany have lacked since current coach Juergen Klinsmann was in his prime.

His partnership with the more creative Miroslav Klose was devastating on Saturday, taking Germany into a 2-0 lead by the 12th minute and ultimately a quarter-final against Argentina or Mexico.

The hosts were under pressure for a while, and the story might have taken a different turn had Henrik Larsson not blasted a penalty over the bar early in the second half, but there was much to concern their next rivals in this performance.

Germany also have the priceless quality of Michael Ballack in midfield, where he played with absolute command on Saturday, and the factor of home advantage as they seek a fourth World Cup win and a second on home soil.

"We now have the momentum and our target is to go all the way to the final," Klinsmann told reporters after the match.

"It was fun to watch the Klose-Podolski partnership," he added about his two Polish-born strikers. They understand each other so well and they were fantastic."

KLINSMANN FAITH

German newspapers assumed Podolski, who turned 21 five days before the start of the tournament, would lose his place after missing a series of simple chances in the two wins over Costa Rica and Poland.

Klinsmann kept faith, however, and was rewarded by seeing the youngster slide in score the third goal in a 3-0 win over Ecuador that sealed their place as group winners.

It was clear from the start against Sweden that he had rediscovered his self-belief.

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