Poles fall apart

Poland's 2-0 defeat to Germany was the 16th time they have failed to beat their neighbours.

It is probably the most one-sided rivalry of top European teams in history and at no point on Sunday did the Poles look like they were going to change this trend in Klagenfurt.

It leaves them bottom of the group on goal difference with co hosts Austria who they play tomorrow night in a must-win game. What rubs salt in the wounds even more is that the double German goal-scorer Podolski is Polish-born as was the provider of the first goal, Klose. Had these two been playing on the side of their birth the result may have been different.

There is obvious tension between these two nations and leading up to the match the Polish newspapers had tormented the Germans with some very provocative images, most notably one of the coach Beenhakker holding the severed heads of Germany's captain Ballack and manager Jaochim Loew in his hands suggesting his team bring them to him on a platter. Another predicted Ballack in a Prussian helmet referencing the time the Poles beat off the invasion of the Teutonic knights in the 15th Century.

Having apologised several times at press conferences Beenhakker was left having to plan for the game under a cloud of controversy. It was always going to be a difficult task but giving the Germans an extra reason to be motivated for the game was probably not the best idea the Press in Poland had ever had.

The game itself promised more than it delivered with Germany starting off by far the stronger mainly due to the high line the Polish defence were keeping. They had been warned on at least three occasions they were playing a dangerous game before Klose broke through and unselfishly crossed for Podolski to slot home in the 20th minute.

Poland steadied themselves after this and although they had much more posession they found it difficult to create any clear cut chances and many of the attempts were from a distance which did not trouble Lehman in any way. But, at least they had sorted the defence out and Germany's threat was nullified to some extent.

In the end, Beenhakker must have been delighted that his team were just 1-0 down at half time. It could have been much worse, and they were still very much in the game.

The second half was a completely different match entirely with the Poles pushing forward more and hustling the German midfield in a way that was lacking in the first 45 minutes.

They looked fitter than their opponents who appeared sluggish and unmotivated. They were still, though, finding it hard to create good chances and so it remained until Smolarek put the ball in the net only to be given offside in what was a very tight decision. Had it gone the Poles way they may well have gone on to cause an upset.

However, not long after, in the 72nd minute, after some shocking defending, the ball fell to Podolski who flashed the ball left-footed into the net after it fell kindly for him in the penalty area. The game was over and the last quarter of the game was played out in an atmosphere of inevitability.

In the end the result was probably a fair one although the Germans will need to improve considerably if they are to win this tournament for the first time since 1996.

Whilst the midfield of Frings and Ballack look strong along with Klose and Podolski up front it is the defence that is under most scrutiny. Apart from Lam on the right they looked ponderous and vulnerable and against better sides than Poland they may well find themselves more exposed.

Poland, meanwhile, had started the game off celebrating compatriot Robert Kubica's win at the Grand Prix in Montreal, Canada and were hoping to cause a similar upset. It was not to be, though, and their long wait to beat their neighbours continues.

They still, though, have a chance to qualify as they should beat Austria and then it will come down to the Croatian game to see who goes through along with Germany. After the dreadful first 20 minutes on Sunday that is the most they could ask for.