INTERVIEW-Soccer-Poland can cause Euro 2008 surprises - coach

WARSAW, April 18 (Reuters) - Poland have improved beyond recognition during the last two years and are ready to give Germany a tough time in their Euro 2008 opener in June, coach Leo Beenhakker said on Friday.

The much-travelled and widely-respected Dutchman, who became Poland's first foreign coach when he took charge in 2006, was perceived as the team's last hope after years of disappointment and has managed to turn things around.

"After two years there is a total difference," he told Reuters in an interview. "You can imagine the whole atmosphere was very negative, players had lost confidence.

"Now it's another world. We have a mentally strong team, people believe in it...the players are fantastic and I have a lot of confidence in them. I hope to surprise many people in Europe."

Poland, who will be making their debut appearance in the finals, have been drawn alongside Germany, joint hosts Austria and Croatia in Group B.

Beenhakker's side kickoff their campaign against former world champions Germany in Klagenfurt on June 8 and he is looking forward to it.

"If we played Germany 10 times, they would probably win six times. But four times there would be the possibility of a draw or a surprise (victory)," said the Dutchman.

MENTAL STRENGTH

Beenhakker said the mental strength and morale of his players would be his main focus in the countdown to the tournament which comes at a time when Poland's domestic league has been shaken by a series of corruption scandals.

A match-fixing probe is expected to involve as many as 30 clubs, leading to demotion to lower divisions for several teams.

"It will not be easy (to shield the players) but we will manage it," said Beenhakker. "It's a very weird and dirty situation.

"The job of the coach is more people-management than football-management."

He said the squad would be boosted by the addition of Brazilian-born Legia Warsaw player Roger Guerreiro, who has recently received Polish citizenship.

"I am very happy with this. Every coach is looking for players with different skills and Roger can bring something extra to the team," Beenhakker said.

"I expect a lot from him. He can help us a lot.

"I've said before that we have a very strong team, it is mentally very strong. It is not an easy team to beat."

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)