[GERMANY] It's the start of Oktoberfest in Bavaria, and Werder Bremen headed south at the weekend to spoil the party by beating reigning champions Bayern Munich 5-2 at the Allianz Arena. Franz Beckenbauer had some consolatory advice for Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann. "I don't envy you," said the Kaiser. "Go out tonight and down a couple of huge beers."

Klinsmann himself faced up to the press, perhaps recalling the calls for his resignation in 2006 when Germany lost 4-1 to Italy just three months before hosting the World Cup. "Of course, it hurts," he said. "Today we were missing a lot of things. Bremen was one step faster" and they "gave us a lesson." But ever the optimist, he claimed the team would pick itself up, "maybe stronger than before." Team general manager Uli Hoeness, usually quick for a quote on any topic under the soccer sun, merely said: "Today for once I'd like to say nothing." So there's another blessing in the defeat.

At one point Bremen led the game 5-0, having led 2-0 at the interval on goals from Markus Rosenberg and the Brazilian Naldo. Rosenberg, Claudio Pizarro and Mesut Ozil then scored the next three in a 13-minute spell, while former Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski's two late consolation goals were greeted with near silence by the fans who hadn't already left for the nearest Bierkeller.

Village side 1899 Hoffenheim sneaked up to second spot by beating former European champions Borussia Dortmund 4-1, a point behind leaders Schalke 04, who edged Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Patrick Ochs. Also in the goals were Bayer Leverkusen, who trounced a Hannover side (without Steve Cherundolo), 4-0. All in all, there were 29 goals in nine games.

It's shaping up to be an egalitarian and potentially very interesting season in the Bundesliga. After five games, only two sides -- Frankfurt (who've played just four) and Energie Cottbus -- are winless. And only Schalke and sixth-placed Wolfsburg, 3-0 winners over Hamburg, remain unbeaten.