Poland, during 19th and early 20th century, was divided into three parts, the Russian part was once named Congress Poland (1815-1867) / 1915 and later Poland was a short lived kingdom named as the Kingdom of Poland (1917-1918); while Germany and Austria brought Poland to more direct controls. Thus, Poland was not an independent country back then as it was torn under the rule of three empires, German Empire, Austria-Hungary and Russian Empire. Poland regained independence in 1918 after more than a century not being independent. Harsh oppression from both parts, however, did not prevent football from reaching Poland.