Podolski promises better displays from Germany at Euro 2012

Lukas Podolski has declared that Germany will be back to their best at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine after a humbling 5-3 defeat to Switzerland in Basel on Saturday.

The striker, who recently confirmed his transfer to Arsenal, has promised better displays from Joachim Low's side and that the return of the Bayern Munich players to the squad will herald a major improvement.

Podolski told the national team's website: "Of course defeats like this shouldn't happen and they hurt, and losing 5-3 to Switzerland is definitely not on, but I can promise there will be a different team on the field [against Portugal on June 9.

"It has been the same in previous years, when we lost 4-1 to Italy [in 2006], for example.

"We have got to live with the criticism. We are all focusing on Portugal and have got to be fit for that game, and we will be fit.

"There is no doubt that with the eight Bayern players here, the quality improves. They are top guys and we have missed them."

The side were given leave to attended the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday to take their minds off the shock defeat in Basel, in which Eren Derdiyok got a hat-trick for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side.

"It was a good day for us to get our heads free," Podolski stated.

"I enjoyed it and the lads enjoyed it too, but now we are focusing on the Euros."