After six weeks of football wilderness amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospect of Europe's major leagues starting up again was like the shimmering oasis on the desert horizon for fans.
Even for those armchair supporters who don't know their Eintracht from their elbow, the potential resumption of Germany's Bundesliga next week was something to look forward to.
That's because if Germany could prove that football can be played in a pandemic, and played in a safe and secure way without risking the spread of infection, then other countries would surely follow their lead.