The only trouble with more than 11 million people watching matches on giant TVs at the 12 Fan Fests was overcrowding, with organizers trumpeting peaceful celebrations.

"That's how God must have imagined the party ¡ª people of different races unified. The color of their skin, their religion doesn't matter, they all celebrate together World Cup," said Franz Beckenbauer, head of the local organizing committee and one of Germany's greatest players. "This phenomenon is unique. Only soccer can do that."

Germany's results have exceeded expectations, with four wins from four starts getting it into a quarterfinal match against Argentina at Berlin on Friday. The successful run obviously has helped keep order.

"The whole country is in a party mood," said Michael Endler, the head of police headquarters for the World Cup. "This is not fertile soil for violence to spread."

Schaeuble said one soccer tournament would not rid Germany of all its problems, but the World Cup calm was helping.

And while Endler said experience showed the worst danger period was past with the first two rounds complete, German security authorities were not taking it easy.

"In Germany we have a sizable potential for violence that we have to be on guard for," Endler said.