Three-time world champion Germany arrived in style for the World Cup on Monday, with its fans already learning from locals about how to support their team.
The 23-man German squad made the 10-hour journey south from Frankfurt to Johannesburg as the first passengers on a new Airbus 380 plane before training 10 hours later in front of about 4,000 fans.
German fans were in the majority at the stadium in Atteridgesville, near the team's tournament headquarters, and picked up the South African habit of blowing vuvuzelas with enthusiasm - giving the players a taste of what will come in the tournament.
Germany hosted a hugely successful World Cup four years ago at home and the fans are getting ready to experience another ``summer fairytale,'' as the 2006 edition became to be known in Germany.
Back home, German flags are again flying from balconies and cars are carrying smaller versions.
All 23 players took part in the training sessions, going through some simple drills split into three groups, plus the goalkeepers.
Germany opens its campaign Sunday against Australia in Durban. It also plays Serbia and Ghana in Group D.
Coach Joachim Loew has brought Germany's second youngest squad ever to a World Cup. Only the team at the first World Cup in 1934 was younger.
Loew was forced to drop five players because of injuries, including captain Michael Ballack.
After losing to Argentina 1-0 at home in February, the team's has been bolstered by two recent victories in friendlies, beating Hungary 3-0 and Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1.
Ghana arrived in Johannesburg about 30 minutes after Germany aboard a scheduled South African Airways flight from Frankfurt.
