Germany through to second round

Dortmund, Germany:

It was Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939 that started the second World War. So, it wasn't wrong to expect some explosive stuff in the middle when Germany faced off against Poland, as the second round of matches got under way. But Wednesday night wasn't quite the world war and the Germans conquered Poland once again. Germany skipper Michael Ballack made a strong break down the left and crossed low to Miroslav Klose. The striker took the ball in his stride and shot with his second touch. Poland keeper Artur Boruc got down well to save the goal. Germany were bolstered by the return of Michael Ballack, and the German skipper got into the act straightaway. Klose comes close to scoring, but hit a header wide with just keeper to beat in the 21st minute. Another chance The Werder Bremen striker got another good chance in the 21st minute failing to convert this cross despite being unmarked in the area. Poland had a chance to score in the 27th minutes. But a weak attempt by Jelen posed no problems for Jens Lehmann. Klose's strike partner Podolski was looking the brighter of the two and he had a good turn-and shot at goal in the 36th minute. But the finishing touch seemed to have deserted the German forwards. Podolski again missed the target in the 46th minute, this time from close range. Juergen Klinsmann left thinking that he would have done much better himself, even at his present age The hosts kept plugging away in the second half as well. A free kick in the 65th minute led to a shot at goal, but Polish keeper Baruc was up to the challenge. Poland were reduced to ten men when Radoslaw Sobolewski was sent off for his second bookable offence in the 75th minute. The Germans were relentless by now. Klose again missed the target with a quarter-of-an-hour left. Going all-out Germany, it seemed, were invading Poland once again albeit only on the football pitch, and Buruc was on the ball, quite literally. The Polish 'keeper with two fine saves in the 80th minute, kept his team in the match and in the tournament. The Germans were going all out, and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored. But the post would deny them twice in the last minute. But, two minutes into injury time, Oliver Neuville broke Polish hearts with a sliding effort. Neuville slid the ball in with a low shot from close range after a right-wing cross from fellow substitute David Ondonkor. Germany, as expected, becoming the first team through to the second round for all practical purposes. Poland, on the other hand, might just have to begin packing their bags.