In 85 years of international soccer matches between Germany and Poland, the Poles have never defeated the Germans. Last night was not the night for them to end their streak.

It was an exciting game from start to finish, as both teams played offensive styles in an attempt to win the game. Germany’s two star forwards, Klose and Podolski, were both born in Poland, and one of Poland’s top players is on the Borussia Dortmund team that plays in the stadium where the game was played (in Dortmund). In 34 years of watching the German national team, I have observed that they play best when they play offensively. Last night they were not to be denied, as Oliver Neuville scored in added time after the 90 minutes of regulation play had ended. Boy, did the fireworks go off around the neighborhood when he scored! There were plenty of people driving their cars around after the game, honking their horns and cheering – all after the game ended around 11 p.m.!

The game reminded me of the 1974 World Cup game between Germany and Poland, which I watched on TV in our Düsseldorf apartment. Germany went on to win the tournament – it was also held in Germany that year – and the Poles finished third. The game was played in the "Waldstadion" in Frankfurt, and there had been a downpour before the game. Despite efforts to drain the field, it was a sloppy mess and is called the "Wasserschlacht" ["water battle"] to this day. Like yesterday’s game, there was no score at halftime, and the Germans won 1-0. German goalie Sepp Maier was the hero of the game, having made a couple of spectacular saves.

One of these days the Poles will have better luck. Last night just wasn’t their night.