[Matt the Thrasher]

Big spending Bayern Munich got off to a flyer on the opening day of the German season

A Luca Toni goal followed by a brace from Miroslav Close gave them a comfortable 3-0 win over Hansa Rostok

The season opener on Friday night saw champions Stuttgart held 2-2 by Schalke 04 , the team they pipped for the title last season

Werder Bremen who finished 3rd last term also drew 2-2 at Bochum , Hamburg who finished very strongly last season to pull away from the drop zone started this year with a 1-0 win at Hannover . Other opening day winners were Eintracht Frankfurt & Armenia Bieledfeld.

It's difficult to see beyond Bayern in Germany this year but I think their nearest rivals could be Hamburg.