The 2. Bundesliga rarely disappoints and matchday one was no exception, from the exciting curtain-raiser to the manic finish in Freiburg, it was a fantastic advert for the league. However, some players stood out above the rest in a week full of good performances.
GK: Robin Himmelmann (FC St. Pauli)
Himmelmann was a spectator for large parts of the game, although he was confident in dealing with anything his way before the late onslaught began. After denying a simple header from Fabian Klos, the St. Pauli stopper came up trumps with to vital reaction saves - especially from Manuel Junglas flick from just a few yards out.
What was a largely comfortable came for the hosts' could all have came crashing down around them without his vital interventions. Despite the promising start, the Hamburg-based club could struggle and this point could prove pivotal come the end of the season.
DF: Benjamin Kessel (1. FC Union Berlin)
There are few better ways to start life at a new club than netting five minutes into a debut, and that's exactly what Kessel managed on Sunday. His header was arguably one of the best of the weekend, bulleting it past Michael Rensing from 18 yards out.
Despite a rather kind call for an apparent hand-ball, Kessel put in a staunch defensive performance for his side that were regularly tested by Fortuna Düsseldorf. A late equaliser was the only real blemish on his card, and Union fans will hope it is a sign of things to come.
DF: Tim Heubach (1. FC Kaiserslautern)
Despite Stipe Vucur, his centre-back partner, nabbing an assist for their third goal, Heubach put in a stellar showing at the heart of the Red Devils' defence. He marked Kingsley Onuegbu out of the game, matching him in the air and on ground, showing an impressive turn of pace to match him in the channels.
It was an important performance for more than just his show on the night, reassuring Kosta Runjaic that they could cope without Willi Orban and Dominique Heintz. There will be more stern tests to come, however.
DF: Kevin Kraus (1. FC Heidenheim)
Kraus is known for his sturdy style and that was exactly what Heidenheim needed at the weekend. After weathering the early 1860 Munich threat, which was considerable, Kraus popped up with the winning goal with just a few minutes to spare.
Vitus Eicher could well have taken Himmelmann's spot in the team for his countless saves, although Kraus' towering header put the nail in the 1860 coffin. There was to be no stopping his effort from eight yards, which flew past Eicher to continue Heidenheim's fantastic form in the second division into this season.
DF: Leart Paqarada (SV Sandhausen)
In what was the shock result of the weekend, Paqarada played a vital role in helping Sandhausen surprise Eintracht Braunschweig. He grabbed two assists in their 3-1 win, in what was a fantastic effort from the visitors.
His free-kick ability was there when it mattered most, picking out Florian Hübner and Aziz Bouhaddouz to bring Sandhausen back to zero points after their deduction before the season started. He was also solid defensively, and his form will be key to them avoiding the drop this season.
DM: Andreas Hofmann (SpVgg Greuther Fürth)
Despite Marco Stiepermann's late winner grabbing the headlines late on, Hofmann's steady performance was exactly what the Shamrocks needed to start the season against the much fancied Karlsruher SC.
Fürth's season was anything but and Stefan Ruthenbeck's decision to bring in Hofmann and Jurgen Gjasula has given them a fantastic platform to build from this season. His general midfield play was brilliantly tidy, which may go unnoticed by some - but that's never a bad thing in his position.
RM: Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen)
A contender for goal of the weekend, Wooten's goal on the stroke of half-time really swung the tide in Sandhausen's favour. A touch to beat his man and then some composure helped him to place the ball straight into the top corner from the edge of the box, with his weaker foot.
Wooten was a big reason behind Sandhausen staying up last term and a series of similar finish wouldn't go amiss this year. In fact, another season like the one previous and a few bigger club could come knocking.
LM: Daniel Halfar (1. FC Kaiserslautern)
A real coup for the Fritz-Walter-Stadion side was Halfar capture and he repaid them from the get-go with a stellar performance in the first half. His dribbling and passing gave headaches to the Duisburg back four, and his ball to set-up the first goal was a touch of true class.
If he can recreate this form, despite the dip in the second period, Halfar will be a catalyst behind their promotion push and looks to be a bargain buy for Kaiserslautern.
AM: Vincenzo Grifo (SC Freiburg)
The focus from Freiburg fans may have been on Petersen, but their new Italian put in a performance to be proud of. He picked up where he left off last season, terrorising Nürnber's back-line with his sleight of hand around the box.
He didn't score and only managed one assist, but it seems clear that Petersen and Grifo already have a strong bond and will be terrorising the second division defences in the coming months. His shooting ability and dead-ball skills will only become more apparent over that time.
CF: Kacper Przybylko (1. FC Kaiserslautern)
A two goal hero on the opening day, it was fair to say Przybylko's move was one that was treated with skepticism. However, those doubts were quickly banished as he tapped in after less than 10 minutes. His second was a fine half-volley which flew into the bottom corner.
He had a confidence about him that was seldom seen in his time at Greuther Fürth, where he struggled to get his game going - so much so that he has almost notched up half the league goals of last term's total in that one game. Goals have been a problem in Kaiserslautern's recent promotion pushes and the Pole could be the man to take them back to the big time.
CF: Nils Petersen (SC Freiburg)
What more is there to say about Nils Petersen? As if he hadn't endeared himself enough to the Freiburg faithful in his loan spell, netting nine times in 12 games, the former Werder Bremen forward managed to net a hat-trick in just five minutes - one minute slower than Helmut Hampl scored three in four minutes back in 1983 for Hessen Kassel.
Even though it was two penalties and a tap in, Petersen has shown he can score the 'more difficult' goals in the top tier. If this is anything to go by, Freiburg and Petersen could be in for a speedy return to the Bundesliga.