Poland arrived in this spa town Monday ahead of its first appearance at the European Championship as one of the longshots to win the tournament.

That doesn’t mean the Poles don’t have the title on their minds.

"We have the same hopes as everybody — we want the championship," midfielder Dariusz Dudka said after the team’s chartered flight touched down in Graz, Austria. "If we weren’t optimistic, it would be better just to stay at home and not come to the tournament."

Coach Leo Beenhakker has instilled the team with confidence and calm since taking over after Poland’s lackluster appearance at the 2006 World Cup. His team drew 1-1 with Denmark at home in Chorzow on Sunday in the Poles’ final warm-up match for Euro 2008.

Beenhakker fielded most of his players against the Danes that are expected to start in Poland’s opener against rival Germany on Sunday.

The veteran coach only omitted defender Michal Zewlakow and midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski — both of whom are recovering from minor leg injuries — in order to have the two healthy to play Germany, which is the tournament favorite.

Poland has never beaten its powerful neighbor in 15 meetings, losing 11 times and drawing four. The teams last played at the 2006 World Cup, where Germany scored an injury-time goal to win 1-0 and knock out Poland from the tournament.

At this summer’s competition, Poland also faces Croatia and co-host Austria in Group B.