No sooner had the final whistle sounded on Germany’s Opening Match win over Costa Rica than the real signature tune of the FIFA World Cup could be heard in villages, towns and cities all across the host nation – car horns sounding in collective celebration.
Relief may have been the prevailing feeling of the many millions of Germans who had gathered in front of television sets and giant screens to watch their 4-2 victory against the Ticos, but there was also a tangible sense of joy flooding the country.
FAN FEST sites in the FIFA World Cup venue cities and beyond provided focal points for all those unable to make it to Munich for the opener and the incredibly popular giant screen sites provided a welcome outlet for mass euphoria.
Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz setting was typical of the countless scenes of communal gatherings, with football lovers from all corners of the globe descending to share that unique sense of occasion that only a FIFA World Cup can engender.
An estimated crowd of 40,000 gathered in Stuttgart’s main square to watch Germany’s win and around half of them appeared to still be there by the end of the opening day’s second match, with the majority of the crowd roaring their approval of Ecuador’s 2-0 defeat of Poland.
South American exiles, from Colombia to Bolivia, danced in ecstasy and solidarity as their Ecuadorian neighbours pulled off an impressive result against the Poles.
If the FAN FEST atmosphere in Stuttgart can be replicated throughout the tournament, these finals could well be considered the best-ever, certainly on a spectator level.
Korea Republic arguably set the benchmark for such gatherings in 2002, where the fervent local support helped to carry the co-hosts all the way to the semi-finals, and Germany will be hoping to ride the same crest of emotion this time around.

In the cold light of day, supporters may well be asking if the Germans have got have got what it takes to go all the way to the final again such was their defensive vulnerability against Costa Rica, but there was no denying that initial potent rush of adrenaline on Friday evening.
After years of planning and waiting, the 2006 FIFA World Cup has finally got underway… and the party has only just begun.