Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich (Odonkor 64), Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger (Borowski 76), Ballack, Frings, Schneider, Podolski (Neuville 71), Klose.

Poland: Boruc, Bosacki, Baszczynski, Bak, Zewlakow (Dudka 83), Sobolewski, Krzynowek (Lewandowski 77), Smolarek, Radomski, Zurawski, Jelen (Brozek 90).

The scene was set for a full blooded encounter when Kryznowek took out Schneider inside three minutes and earned the games' first caution. It would not be the last.

There was a crackling atmosphere both on and off the pitch as these neighbours looked to settle their feud and although it was Germany immediately making most of the running Poland managed the first serious goal attempt when slack defending by Mertesacker allowed Zurawski a shooting chance from the edge of the box. His effort was too close to Lehmann to unduly trouble the keeper.

For the rest of the half some neat Poland approach play would founder in the final third while Germany fashioned several fine chances without finding a finish.

Schweinsteiger and Ballack combined well down the left to send Klose charging into the box. His close range cross shot brought a fine save out of Boruc.

Shortly afterwards the striker would be guilty of a worse miss. The outstanding full back Lahm, backing up the attack as always, produced a perfect centre and Klose will still be wondering how he manged to glance it wide from just six yards out,

Lahm would pick out Podolski on his next venture forward. The striker had more work to do but opened things up for himself with a smart turn before firing an instant shot which flew straight at Boruc.

The Germans were looking increasingly impressive and a sweeping passing move allowed Podolski to set up Schweinsteiger. From a good position he blazed way too high, however.

Lahm was fully involved in the move of the match as he continued to bomb forward from left back. The rapid break ended with him squaring the ball into Podolski who slid the ball wide of the far post from just five yards out. It was a bad miss.

Lahm looks a superb player. He is quick and has a smart footballing brain. He is always looking to draw an opponent to him before releasing the ball and then he moves on with lightening darts which allow his teammates to find him again in space. Pass and move at its best.

For all their chances, however, Germany went in at the break frustrated.

Half Time: Germany 0 Poland 0

Poland began the second half looking to impose themselves on the game a little more and Zurawski slipped in Jelen for a powerful shot that Lehmann was happy to see rocket into his stomach.

In general though the lively Polish front pair did not receive the service or support to truly test the German rearguard.

A German free kick provoked a spot of pinball around the edge of the Polish box which ended with Klose firing in a low drive that Boruc saved diving smartly to his left but much of the home sides' fire now appeared to have been doused as the second half became more attritional.

The situation changed completely with fifteen minutes remaining, however. Germany had beed perked up somewhat by the changes made by Jurgen Klinsmann and they gained more heart when Sobolewski was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. It was something of a nothing offence as he impeded Odonkor but he could have no real complaints about the outcome.

Down to ten it now promised to be a long quarter of an hour for the Poles.

From the free kick itself Germany almost scored. Klose glanced a header towards the far post and saw it creep the wrong side and the tone was set for an Alamo style bombardment.

Lahm swept forward and breezed through two challengers to find himself in the box. He tried to glide a shot around Boruc but the keeper was able to parry away and when the ball was instantly returned to Neuville by Borowski Celtic's number one produced an even better save plunging to his left.

Borowski was not far away with a speculative effort before an amazing sequence in which the Polish goal led an incredibly charmed life.

Lahm was again at the hub of the move and sent in another fine cross. Klose seemed to make contact with his back and the ball looped beyond Boruc to hit the bar. The ball came down to Ballack who poked in another shot that also hit the bar from just four yards out. Neuville flew in after this rebound but was blocked and when the ball was then lashed home by Odonkor the linesmans' flag was up against Ballack who had slipped the ball back to him.

That seemed likely to be that as the game entered injury time but a fine ball down the right suddenly released Odonkor and when he lobbed the ball across goal Neuville came sliding in to steer home the winner on the half volley from point blank range.

Cue scenes of hysteria right across Germany and there can be no doubt that this team will take some beating on their own soil.

It's a depressing thought.

Full Time: Germany 1 Poland 0

Germany: Lehmann 6, Friedrich 6 (Odonkor 8), Mertesacker 5, Metzelder 6, Lahm 9, Schweinsteiger 7 (Borowski 7), Ballack 7, Frings 6, Schneider 6, Podolski 6 (Neuville 7), Klose 6.

Poland: Boruc 9, Bosacki 5, Baszczynski 5, Bak 6, Zewlakow 6, Sobolewski 4, Krzynowek 6 (Lewandowski 5), Smolarek 6, Radomski 5, Zurawski 6, Jelen 7.

Referee: L.Cantalejo (Spain) 7
Had a happy time flashing cards in this aggressive clash. You couldn't really argue with his decisions in general.

Good:
Philipp Lahm looks a real bright spark at left back and is a real danger coming forward. Was at the heart of most of Germany's attacks and could be one of the real stars of the tournament.

Bad:
The missed chances. Germany missed several good chances and a couple of absolute sitters. The Klose header and Podolski's five yard shot wide need some explaining.

Ugly:
There were some flashpoints between rival fans before the game but apparently nothing too sinister.