Germans complete best World Cup start since 1970

Germany completed their best start to a World Cup since 1970 when they made it three wins out of three against Ecuador but coach Juergen Klinsmann had a sobering thought for the millions of euphoric Germans

"We played a worse game against Ecuador than we did against Poland," Klinsmann told reporters after the 3-0 victory on Tuesday secured first place in Group A and set up a match against Sweden in the last 16.

"The tempo was a lot slower and we left too much space between defence and midfield."

Germany have not won their first three matches at a World Cup since 1970 in Mexico when they beat Morocco, Bulgaria and Peru and went on to reach the semi-finals.

The Germans won the World Cup in 1954 in Switzerland, 1974 - when, like now, they were the hosts - and 1990 in Italy.

In none of those tournaments did they manage to win their three games in the opening group phase and their good start this time had 700,000 people on Berlin's fan mile in raptures on Tuesday.

The German fans even believe the years of their former World Cup wins offer a mathematical portent for a fourth triumph.

Multiplying the numbers 54 and 74 and subtracting 1990 produces 2006. Many people in Germany have put "54 x 74 - 1990 = 2006" on flags.

No one gave Klinsmann's inexperienced team much of a chance before the tournament started but wins over Costa Rica and Poland as well as Ecuador have seen them installed as one of the favourites.

"The longer you go in a tournament the more respect you command," Klinsmann said. "We don't want to overestimate our performance but the others will have to take us into account now."

The defence looked extremely ragged in the opening day 4-2 victory over Costa Rica but with captain Michael Ballack back from injury to anchor the midfield they have not conceded a goal in two matches.

Miroslav Klose's two goals against Ecuador took his tournament total to four, while Lukas Podolski should play with a lot more confidence after opening his account.

"For a striker there is no better medicine than scoring goals," Klinsmann said of the 21-year-old Podolski. "He's learning from every match and finding his groove."

Klinsmann should have the luxury of a full squad to choose from in the second round match against Sweden in Munich on Saturday.

Ballack was under threat of suspension but came through against Ecuador without picking up a yellow card and there are no serious injuries in the squad.