Hamburg  - Kevin Kuranyi scored both goals as Schalke 04 had a winning start into the Bundesliga campaign under new coach Felix Magath, 2-1 at promoted Nuremberg.

The former Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi opened the scoring on the counter in the 36th minute and got his second in the 50th from the edge of the area. Marek Mintal scored for Nuremberg in the 88th.

Victory was sweet for Schalke, who hope to get their first national title since 1958 under Magath, the freshly crowned German Coach of the Year who came for the season on a four-year contract from champions VfL Wolfsburg.

"We played well at times. It is always good to score two goals," said Kuranyi. "A lot has changed at the club (under Magath). We have a clear aim and want to reach it together."

Hertha Berlin and Borussia Dortmund laboured to 1-0 wins over Hanover 96 and injury-plagued Cologne, respectively. Visiting Eintracht Frankfurt ambushed Werder Bremen 3-2 and Mainz 05 drew 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen.

Title favourites Bayern Munich were due to start the season at the new 1630 GMT kickoff slot at TSG Hoffenheim.

Wolfsburg had opened the season on Friday with a stylish 2-0 over VfB Stuttgart, with Zvjezdan Misimovic and Footballer of the Year Grafite on target under new coach Armin Veh.

Magath's magic, meanwhile, is now to boost Schalke, and his side delivered with the first three points in the opener despite not playing great.

Kuranyi broke the deadlock on the counter, set up nicely by Jefferson Farfan. Kuranyi was on target again early in the second half and Mintal's strike came too late to endanger Schalke's win.

The cup winners Bremen suffered a first setback in their aim to return to the top of the league after a mediocre campaign.

Mesut Ozil's penalty and Boubacar Sanogo managed to cancel out Ioannis Amanatidis' brace. But Frankfurt had the last laugh from Martin Fenin in the 71st off a corner kick and Bremen's Sebastian Proedl was sent off late in the game.

In Mainz, the hosts led from an early header from Tim Hoogland and goalkeeper Heinz Mueller saved a penalty from Tranquilo Barnetta.

Leverkusen regrouped and Barnetta fed Eren Derdiyok and Stefan Kiessling for a double late in the first half before Daniel Gunkel salvaged a draw for Mainz with a stunning freekick.

Dortmund needed a 75th-minute own goal from substitute Marvin Matip to beat Cologne while Gojko Kacar came to the rescue of Hertha with his 81st-minute winner against Hanover.

The Sunday games are VfL Bochum vs Borussia Moenchengladbach and SC Freiburg vs SV Hamburg. (dpa)