Led by veteran forward Miroslav Klose, Germany opened its Euro 2012 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Belgium.
Klose scored his 53rd goal for Germany when Bastian Schweinsteiger robbed Belgian defender Daniel Van Buyten of the ball and fed Thomas Mueller, who served Klose for the easy putaway.
Despite the Belgian error, it was the quickness of execution of players who found each other seemingly blindfolded which impressed.
It was a goal made by Bayern Munich players, from Belgium's Van Buyten to Klose, and gave Germany the early lead in Group A.
The World Cup semifinalists, who showed some of the flowing play that marked their South African campaign, plays Azerbaijan on Tuesday in Cologne. Belgium plays Turkey next.
"It was an important victory. We showed the right spirit," Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
Turkey beat Kazakhstan 3-0 to share the lead with Germany,
"They were too dominant a team. We were powerless to get a draw," said Belgian captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Belgium pressured early on, but progressively the Germans took control and never let go. After the defensive blunder which gave Germany the goal, they closed their defense off and had the cool and poise to keep the Belgians running after the ball.
Overall though, Germany fell short of its World Cup form which saw it produce some of the most sparkling football of the tournament in spectacular wins over England and Argentina.
Lineups:
Belgium: Logan Bailly; Toby Alderweireld, Daniel Van Buyten, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen; Marouane Fellaini, Timmy Simons (Jelle Vossen, 83), Jan Vertonghen; Moussa Dembele, Romelu Lukaku (Christian Benteke, 73), Eden Hazard (Olivier Deschacht, 73).
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Holger Badstuber, Marcell Jansen (Heiko Westermann, 46); Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil (Cacau, 88), Lukas Podolski (Toni Kroos, 70) , Miroslav Klose.
