Low promises to be on best behaviour after sideline scratch-and-sniff

PARIS - Germany coach Joachim Low has promised to be on his best behaviour after being caught live on television having an indiscreet scratch of his genitals during his side's opening Euro 2016 win over Ukraine.

Low has been the target of widespread mocking on social media after slipping his hand into the front of his trousers during the 2-0 win in Lille, with the unfortunate incident dubbed 'trousers-gate' by the German press.

"I've seen these images the next day. I'm sorry for it, of course you do something unconsciously when you are full of adrenaline," said the World Cup-winning coach.

"I'm trying to behave properly from now on."

Related - Podolski defends Low's touchline tinker: 'We all scratch our nuts'

Of more pressing concern for Low is stopping Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and his Poland side in a battle for top stop in Group C in Paris on Thursday.

Poland defeated Germany for the first time in its history in qualifying and earned its first ever win in a European Championship finals when the team edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 on Sunday.

However, Low insisted he won't rush back Lewandowski's new Bayern Munich teammate, centre-back Mats Hummels, to deal with the threat posed by the Bundesliga's top scorer.

"He has trained twice with the team, but for me it is very important to see the final training tonight," Low explained. "We will talk to him then we will see if he can play.

"At least concerning Hummels I won't run any risk, if there are minor problems I won't run the risk in the second game of such a tournament."