The trains run on time. The stadia are superb. Just about everyone speaks perfect English.

Why, the Germans have even organised for the sun to shine on their World Cup. After all the dark predictions that this could be the worst German side in history, they also appear to have fashioned a football team with a genuine chance of progressing deep into the tournament. It is early days, of course, but the force is with Germany. And that is the best thing that could have happened to this World Cup.

If you think such a sentiment seems strange coming from an Englishman you would be right. But I'm not saying I want them to win the World Cup. Nor even get to the final. There has been far too much hurt suffered, mostly in penalty shoot-outs by such as Gareth Southgate, Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce, for English fans to look kindly on German footballers, even if they were beaten in 1966.

But the World Cup, like any party, needs its hosts to be in sparkling humour which, let's face it, is not a commodity in plentiful supply in this land of large sausages, large beers and little laughter.

Japan and Korea four years ago was a brilliant success with millions turning out to watch the big screens precisely because the joint host countries performed so admirably. In the history of the World Cup the hosts have never failed to reach the quarter-finals. And Germany are on their way.

In this city whose history is forever interwoven with Nazism, Oliver Neuville's injury-time winner against Poland was greeted with euphoria. Car horns blaring, beer glasses shattering and supporters with flags draped around their bodies roaming the streets in a frenzy until the early hours.

Six points out of six, the knockout stages assured, captain Michael Ballack back fit and apparently talking cordially to coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Heavens, Ballack, even admitted Germany were a "bit lucky". Truly, the Germans must be in good mood. But then there is much to admire about this World Cup so far.

The fluency of Argentina, the spirit and talent of the Ivory Coast for whom Didier Drogba was a passionate, hard-working, goal-scoring revelation. The finesse of Spain, too, who put four goals past Ukraine, although it would be wise to reserve judgement on the Spanish. They have a degree in flattering to deceive when it comes to the group stage of the World Cup, only to fail miserably when the business end begins. And then there was the thriller between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Attractive football. Intriguing contests. And the most invigorating aspect has been the emphasis on attacking football, even if Brazil have yet to unpack their brightest talents. True, not all has been hunky-glory.

Freddie Ljungberg and Olaf Mellberg as usual have reduced the temperature within the Swedish camp to iceberg level. Otto Pfister resigned as Togo manager over a money row before his team had kicked a ball before returning again and the French continue to bicker on and off the field.

On paper the French team should be one of the favourites here. In reality they carry too many players who should be put out to grass, not play on it. Zinedine Zidane, the two-goal hero of France 1998 and formerly the best player in the world, has arrived here two years past his sell-by-date.Patrick Vieira is no longer the dominant midfielder he once was, Fabien Barthez is still the madcap goalkeeper he always has been and Thierry Henry, for all his Arsenal brilliance, just never seems to do it in an international shirt.

They might turn it around, but I doubt it. No-one does farce better than the French. Just as no-one at the moment is creating a force quite like Germany.