Bayern back in business

FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen both signalled their intent in this season's Bundesliga by opening their campaigns with victories.

Bremen warning
Champions SV Werder Bremen had sent out a warning last night by beating an FC Schalke 04 side containing two of their title-winning squad from last season. But Bayern, who relinquished the title to Bremen, were in early form as Felix Magath's first league game in charge ended in a 2-0 win at Hamburger SV, who unlike Schalke failed to reach the UEFA Intertoto Cup final round in midweek.

Long-range goals
Bayern had claimed the German League Cup against Bremen on Monday, and picked up where they left off when Michael Ballack put them ahead 22 minutes in at Hamburg with a long-range shot. Sebastian Deisler, the key man in the League Cup final, converted a 71st-minute free-kick to seal the points.

Franca winner
Leverkusen, who kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign with a third qualifying round tie at home to FC Baník Ostrava on Wednesday, overcame Hannover 96 2-1. Michael Tarnat did put the visitors to the BayArena ahead with a shot from distance a quarter of an hour in, but Bernd Schneider got the equaliser four minutes after the break and Franca struck a dramatic winner in added time.

Bochum comeback
UEFA Cup contenders VfL Bochum 1848 came from two behind to draw 2-2 at Hertha BSC Berlin. Gilberto scored on six minutes for Hertha and Marcelinho doubled the lead seconds before the break. But 20 minutes into the second half Raymond Kalla pulled one back and Peter Madsen converted a penalty five minutes later.

Wolfsburg delight
Germany's two other unsuccessful Intertoto Cup entrants came head to head. VfL Wolfsburg fought back from behind to beat BV Borussia Dortmund 2-1, Ewerthon's opener more then cancelled out by goals on 44 and 64 minutes by Thomas Brdaric. Newly-promoted 1. FC Nürnberg won 3-1 at 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Ivica Banovic, Robert Vittek and Lars Müller scoring for the 2. Bundesliga champions against a side who levelled the scores for just three minutes through a Ferydorn Zandi penalty, while SC Freiburg drew 0-0 at home to FC Hansa Rostock.

Sunday games
The first round of fixtures end on Sunday with Nürnberg's two fellow newcomers in action. DSC Arminia Bielefeld welcome VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach while 1. FSV Mainz 05 visit UEFA Cup contenders VfL Stuttgart.