Many said it would be all over by Christmas. With Bayern Munich spending extravagant amounts in the summer that fans of Europe’s big three leagues are only accustomed to, Bundesliga sides appeared star-struck with the thought of having to line up against Bayern’s mega-stars.

As the Bavarians stretched their lead to six points in this season’s opening phase, general manager Uli Hoeness’ prophecy “opponents will need binoculars to see us – we’ll be so far in front” looked to be fulfilling then.

The Bundesliga is often scoffed at by fans of other leagues for being a one-team competition. It’s a misguided concept.

In fact this has been a great ‘Hinrunde’ (first round) for the Bundesliga fans.

At the halfway stage we haven’t seen Bayern run away with the title and for now the Bavarian giants have been pegged back.

The German record champions head into this year’s winter break top only on goal difference. None of the title races in Italy, Spain, England, France or Portugal are quite so close at the moment.

Bayern achieved their aim of being ‘Herbstmeister’ (autumn champions), but they have stumbled, rather than strolled, to the finish line.

Rifts between the German players and the foreigners, Sagnol and Podolski blasting coach Hitzfeld for benching them, captain Kahn ducking out of the club’s Christmas party, high profile media spats between Hitzfeld, Hoeness and chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge indicate that all is not well at the Allianz Arena.

Draws at home to Frankfurt, Duisburg or Bolton Wanderers (in the UEFA Cup) have stirred some criticism and discussions. Coach Hitzfeld, fed up with the constant pressure and aura of dissatisfaction, could be well making his way off to Switzerland by next summer.

But, to be fair, Bayern haven’t been that bad. They are first in the league standings, still competing in the UEFA Cup, the club owners are still adding talent to the squad (signing of Brazilian prodigy Breno) and the bookies still count on them winning the Bundesliga title.

Bayern have lost just once (3-1 at Stuttgart). This time last year they had lost four league games. They have conceded only eight goals and kept 11 clean sheets. And Kahn critique or not, French winger Ribery is still popular and recognised at home and internationally (was voted best French player of the year). Pretty much as expected, Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose are top of the scorers’ list with nine goals each.

What’s more, the Munchner have undoubtedly had the toughest fixture schedule of any of the big sides – of the usual ‘tricky’ away fixtures, Bayern only have a trip to Schalke still to come.

Looking at the positives of a close first round, Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen and particularly Werder Bremen have been superb - Karlsruher the major surprise.

If leagues were played from January to December, Huub Stevens’ Hamburg would have won the 2007 Bundesliga at a canter. In less than 12 months the Dutchman has transformed the Northern side from rock-bottom relegation candidates to serious championship challengers.

Rafael Van der Vaart is back to his best although he might soon be making his way to Juventus in the Serie A. However HSV have proven their ability to win even without the dynamic Dutch international. Ivica Olic has scored seven goals already, their Czech holding midfielder David Jarolim is consistently one of the best players in the league, while Stevens appears to have established a real bond with his squad. Two disappointing draws at the end of the first round have left Hamburg four points off the pace, but they have demonstrated that they have the heads, as well as the talent, to succeed.

Bayer Leverkusen are also experiencing something of a renaissance this season. A crushing 5-2 defeat at Bremen on the last day brought an abrupt end to an otherwise strong campaign as Michael Skibbe’s men have generally looked tight at the back and useful in attack.

The popular ‘Kicker’ magazine has ranked young midfielder Simon Rolfes the number one performer in the Bundesliga this season, proof of Leverkusen’s ability to get the best from lesser-known talents. Young Swiss star Tranquillo Barnetta and veteran striker Sergej Barbarez (4 goals, 3 assists) have also been superb. Although sporting director Rudi Voller doesn’t expect his team to challenge for honours this season, he must be hoping Bayer clinch a Champions League spot.

At the same time, managing to lose eight league games, reigning champions VfB Stuttgart will spend the winter in eighth place as newly promoted Karlsruher are currently in sixth place. In October they beat Schalke 2-0 away, which is probably the least expected result of the league so far. According to ‘Kicker’, the Karlsruher success is partly due to the solid performances of goalkeeper Markus Miller and Hungarian international midfielder Tamas Hajnal (5 goals, 6 assists).

If two of Germany’s Champions League representatives, Schalke and Stuttgart, have disappointed domestically, it is Werder Bremen who have really caught the eye.

They have 36 points just like Bayern and second in the table only due to goal difference.

The summer departure of Klose led to fears of an impending goal drought. 42 goals scored in 17 games suggests otherwise. Thomas Schaaf’s men live by their attacking football, even if it means they struggle defensively.

Werder put eight goals past Bielefeld, hit Karlsruher and champions Stuttgart by four, besides hammering the in-form Leverkusen 5-2.

Diego remains the fans’ hero, for as long as he stays at the Weserstadion, contributing nine goals. But their true strength is team work. Schaaf has used no less than 27 players in the league so far while inspirational leader Torsten Frings has barely featured. Other players have stepped in and continued the free-flowing football philosophy. New heroes like Sanogo and Jensen have been discovered. Ivan Klasnic returned from two kidney transplants to score a brace against Leverkusen. Given a fully-fit squad, the depth of options available to Schaaf is simply formidable.

Werder Bremen may lack the finances of their southern rivals Bayern, but they are a skilful and well managed side, making manager Hoeness more than a little nervous as we head into 2008.

Bayern Munich remain the favourites for the big prize, but they are also undeniably the side under the greatest pressure.