Germany held by Euro2012 Co-hosts Poland

Euro2012 Co-hosts Poland held a weakened Germany to a two-all draw in an international friendly at the PGE Arena, a newly opened venue in Gdansk. For Poland it was an emotional game and a real test, while Germany tried out a few of their bench players.

Germany went into the game without Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Özil; who all had been allowed to go back to their clubs by coach Joachim Loew as Germany started with seven new players in the starting line-up playing once more the new attacking 4-1-4-1 system.

And that did show though Germany had the better start into the game against a nervous Poland as the Mannschaft put initial pressure on the hosts. Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny came to his teams rescue on a number of occasions with striker Miroslav Klose being denied numerous times to give Germany the lead, while Poland focused more on counter-attacks with FC Cologne's Slawomir Peszko on the left beating Christian Träsch a number of times. It remained goalless at the break.

Things initially remained the same after the break with Germany having two quick chances, but Germany had a problem in falling back through the game which game the Polish side chances to attack and use the gaps. In one such situation in the 55th minute captain Jakub Blaszczykowski moved forward, played a through ball for Dariusz Dudka, who moved past keeper Tim Wiese but was brought down, still the referee allowed the advantage and Robert Lewandowski was there to push the ball in. Germany looked shocked, but Poland couldn't utilise the situation as their neighbours got back into the game when substitute Thomas Müller was brought down in the box for a penalty. Toni Kroos walked up to the spot and slotted home easily in the 68th minute.

Thereafter Germany could have taken the lead, but keeper Wojciech Szczesny got his hands to a brilliant Andre Schürrle shot, which he got onto the crossbar. Poland were reduced to ten men in the 81st minute when Arkadiusz Glowacki got his second yellow card of the night, but Poland fought on. In the last minute of the game keeper Tim Wiese brought down substitute Pavel Brozek, though it wasn't clear if it was a penalty or the striker went down cleverly. A minute into injury time Blaszczykowski scored from the spot and it looked as if Poland would score their first-ever win against Germany, but four minutes into injury-time Thomas Müller played a sharp ball from the right into the middle with Cacau there to push in. Referee Daniele Orsato didn't even restart the game as it ended two-all.


MATCH STATS

Poland 2-2 (0-0) Germany - Goals: 1-0 Robert Lewandowski (55'), 1-1 Toni Kroos (68' penalty), 2-1 Jakub Blaszczykowski (90+1' penalty), 2-2 Cacau (90+4')

PolandWojciech Szczesny - Macin Wasilewski, Damien Perquis (72' Kamil Glik), Arkadiusz Glowacki, Jakub Wawrzyniak - Rafal Murawski, Dariusz Dudka - Jakub Blaszczykowski [C] (90+3' Pawlowski), Adrian Mierzejewski (83' Rybus), Slawomir Peszko (65' Adam Matuschyk) - Robert Lewandowski (79' Pavel Brozek)

Germany
12-Tim Wiese - 15-Christian Träsch, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 16-Philipp Lahm [C] (46' 2-Marcel Schmelzer) - 6-Simon Rolfes (77' 4-Lars Bender) - 9-André Schürrle, 19-Mario Götze, 18-Toni Kroos, 10-Lukas Podolski (60' 13-Thomas Müller) - 11-Miroslav Klose (46' 23-Cacau)
Unused Substitutes: 22-Ron Robert Zieler 3-Benedikt Höwedes, 5-Mats Hummels, 14-Holger Badstuber

Referee
Daniele Orsato (Italy)

Poland host Germany in friendly tonight

Last Friday Germany were the first team to qualify for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. Now later today they face co-hosts Poland in an international friendly in Gdansk and with qualification in their bag the Germans are now set to start their preparations and selection progress for the tournament next summer.

After coming to Gdansk the team management has literary fallen in love with the city and after having inspected all eight host cities for Euro2012 the German have decided to make Gdansk their home during next summers tournament with the five star Hotel Dwor Oliwski their accommodation.

Coach Joachim Loew is in the wonderful situation that he can pick his final 23 players from a huge pool of players. For the game tonight Loew is resting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer plus midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Özil, who all have gone back to their respective clubs; but it will be a test for others in a totally new German side compared to the team which beat Austria 6-2 on Friday.

In goal Tim Wiese will get his chance with centre back Per Mertesacker coming in for for Holger Badstuber with Jerome Boateng or Mats Hummels his partner. On the right wing Christian Träsch could come in for the injured Benedikt Höwedes, while as left-back captain Philipp Lahm retains his position. Simon Rolfes takes Bastian Schweinsteiger's position in defensive midfield, while on the wings we will either see Thomas Müller or Andre Schürrle on the right and Lukas Podolski on the left. In the middle Toni Kroos is joined by teenager Mario Götze for Mesut Özil and Miroslav Klose stays upfront.

Especially for Podolski and Klose it will be special occasion with both players having Polish roots. In the last match between the two nations at Euro2008 Podolski had scored both the goals for Germany in a 2-0 win.

"This is something really special," said an emotional Klose. "We were born there, speak the language. Poldi and I are really looking forward to playing there (in Poland) for the first time."


Likely Germany XI with alternatives

Tim Wiese; Christian Träsch (Benedikt Höwedes), Per Mertesacker, Jerome Boateng (Mats Hummels), Philipp Lahm [C]; Simon Rolfes; Thomas Müller (Andre Schürrle), Mario Götze, Toni Kroos, Lukas Podolski; Miroslav Klose