Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: It was hoped that the jury could be convinced by the concept of a Polish-German Cooperation but Essen got the award , with GÃ rlitz achieving the second place .
Simplified: It was hoped that the concept of Polish-German cooperation would be sufficient to convince the jury , but Essen won the award . GÃ rlitz placed second .