Debut delight for Bayern at Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich's Sebastian Deisler shoots a corner during their friendly football match against a selection of the German national team at the new Allianz Arena Football stadium in Munich. Munich won 4-2.

German champions Bayern Munich enjoyed a successful debut at their new 340 million euro Allianz Arena with a 4-2 friendly win over a weakened Germany team.

Double winners Bayern vacated the Olympic Stadium at the end of the season and a capacity 66,000 crowd packed into their new home to watch Bayern kickstart a new era.

"It is a lot louder than the Olympic Stadium," confessed Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who received a less than friendly barge into an advertising hoarding from German keeper Jens Lehmann which had Bayern coach Felix Magath out of his seat in a fury.

"It is a joy to play here."

Bayern playmaker Michael Ballack, one of five German internationals to play for Bayern, was also left in awe.

"The stadium is incredible," explained Ballack. "The atmosphere is great and I think it bodes well for the future with Bayern and Germany."

Sebastian Deisler had the honour of scoring Bayern's first goal at the venue with just five minutes gone.

An own goal from Chelsea defender Robert Huth (36 min) and further goals from Willy Sagnol (74) and Hasan Salihamidzic (87) guided Bayern to a comfortable victory, while Lehmann for his part was roundly booed all night by the Bayern fans in reference to his longtime criticism of their keeper and German number one Oliver Kahn.

"We gave Bayern a nice opening gift," said Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "We never like losing but will not lose sleep over this defeat."

Spectators wave flags during the inauguration of the new Allianz Arena Football stadium in Munich, prior a friendly football match between Bayern Munich and a selection of the German national team. Munich won 4-2.

Tim Borowski scored a 51st minute penalty for Germany but even Miroslav Klose's 86th minute effort was not enough to paper over a poor display from Klinsmann's side.

But in truth the result was always secondary with the microscope on the stadium, nicknamed the 'Schlauchboot' (rubber dinghy) because of its design, and the atmosphere left its mark on Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer.

"It is the first time the stadium has had 66,000 fans inside and the atmosphere was incredible," said Beckenbauer. "I have seen almost all stadia in the world but this is the best. But I guess it is a matter of taste."

Hosts Germany will open the 2006 World Cup at the Allianz Arena on June 9 2006 and Klinsmann will hope for a better result than the one against Bayern.