Mass circulation paper Bild reported Saturday that the German side has overtaken England in the popularity leagues, by having more fans on Facebook.

Up to now England had the head start when it came to attracting supporters on the social media site. But Germany, who the paper triumphantly pointed out only set up their Facebook fanpage in December, has already steamed ahead.

Around 1.15 million German football enthusiasts follow their team’s posts on Facebook, which include interviews and photographs.

In contrast archrivals England only have about 1.1 million fans, 40,000 fewer than the Germans.

Bild even crowed that “Germany is already celebrating its first Euro 2012 victory!”

Ralf Köttker, the German Football Association’s media director, welcomed the news.

“When it comes to our team, the Facebook fans are agreed: ‘I like it and thumbs up for Jogi’s boys’,” he told Bild , referring to Joachim or “Jogi” Löw, the team’s coach.

Köttker added that he hoped many more German fans will follow the team on Facebook.

“We won’t let the online title be taken away from us,” he said.

The Local/smd