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

By Karolina Slowikowska and Piotr Bujnicki

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.