TENERO, Switzerland (AFP) - Germany will go into their opening Euro 2008 game against Poland on Sunday armed with insider information from the three members of their squad born in the neighbouring country.

Strikers Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose plus winger Piotr Trochowski were all born in Poland and Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick admitted they have used the trio to help pronounce their opponents' names.

Names such as Poland forwards Wojciech Lobododzinski and Euzebiusz Smolarek had left the Germans tongue-tied, confessed Flick.

Germany open their Group B campaign in Klagenfurt, Austria, and Bayern Munich striker Podolski in particular has been putting his fluent Polish to good use for his country.

"We have been using our three Polish-born players to help pronounce the Polish players' names properly, Lukas has been especially helpful," admitted assistant coach Flick at Germany's Euro 2008 base here in south Switzerland.

"It made it easier to get their names right, so everyone knew who we were talking about.

"You could say they are our spies in the camp, I am sure they will also be keeping their ears open for any calls out on the pitch Sunday."

History favours the Germans as in the 15 meetings betweeen the teams since 1933, Poland have yet to win, while Germany have won 11 of them with the other four finishing in draws.