STRIKER Oliver Bierhoff struck two goals in only his second international last night as Germany beat the European champions Denmark 2-0 in Munich.

The Italian based player, who, won his first cap last month as a substitute in a friendly in Portugal, showed composure to tap the ball home from close range in the 44th minute after a superb run and cross from the left by mid fielder Christian Ziege.

In the 61st minute the 27 year old Udinese striker got his head to a free kick from Thomas Haessler and the ball found its way through the legs of Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel into the net.

The performance will give Bierhoff a major boost in his bid to get the second place up front alongside Juergen Klinsmann in Germany's team for the European Championship finals in June.

The Germans, who were beaten 2-0 by the Danes in the 1992 European Championship final in Gothenburg, showed good form despite being without Matthias Sammer and midfield playmaker Andy Moeller.

Denmark could have gone ahead in the 16th minute when Brian Landrup raced through the middle of the penalty area. With the ball heading towards the net, the Glasgow Rangers striker was brought down by German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

Experienced defender Juergen Kohler cleared the ball just before it went over the goal line. The 1990 World Cup winners survived the scare when the referee decided against giving a penalty.

Bayern Munich's Kahn hurt his hand in the incident and had to be replaced by Andy Koepke.