Loew hopeful injury-victim Ballack is fit for Euro final
VIENNA (AFP) — Germany coach Joachim Loew is hopeful captain Michael Ballack can shake off the calf strain he suffered in training on the eve of Sunday's Euro 2008 final to lead his country against Spain.
The Chelsea midfielder damaged his right calf in Germany's last training session on Friday at their Euro 2008 base in Tenero, Switzerland, before the final and has been receiving treatment for the injury.
Although the team flew to Vienna on Saturday afternoon for Sunday's final at the Ernst Happel Stadium, Ballack stayed behind at the team hotel for treatment and a decision on whether he plays will be taken in the countdown to kick-off.
Ballack was forced to miss the 2002 World Cup final after picking up a second yellow card in the tournament, but even faced with the prospect of missing another final, Loew said his skipper was in good spirits.
"I haven't counted on Michael being out yet," said Loew.
"He has not been able to train for the last two days.
"He had problems with his calf muscle which was hardening and tightening, he couldn't possibly train on Saturday.
"We will see how the calf is overnight and we are working on him around the clock, we may have to think about replacements.
"When I talked to him this afternoon, he was optimistic.
"He wasn't depressed at all about the situation, because, according to what he was told by the medical staff, there is still a chance.
"We have 24 hours to go and we will do our upper most to get him fit, of course for any player to miss the final is an enormous disappointment, but it's too soon to talk about that yet."
With 86 caps to his name and 38 goals - including two at Euro 2008 - Ballack's loss would be the biggest blow to Germany's chances of winning their fourth European title.
Loew said Bastian Schweinsteiger or Werder Bremen's Tim Borowski could fill Ballack's attacking midfielder role in their 4-5-1 formation, if needed.
"I am still hoping he will play tomorrow," insisted Loew.
"He is extremely important as a driving force in midfield and our captain, but someone else can come in and take his place if need be."
"Even those who haven't been playing, like Tim, are highly motivated and we will find a solution if we have to."
At 31, this could be Ballack's last chance to win a major tournament with Germany, but former Aston Villa team-mate Thomas Hitzlsperger said there has been no talk from the Chelsea man of retirement.
"I don't know if he will retire whether he plays in the game or not tomorrow, he hasn't mentioned anything like that, so hopefully he will be there to lift the trophy," said Hitzlsperger.
But the whole team are hoping Ballack will play.
"He has proven over the years he is an important player by scoring goals in key games, he has proved himself at Chelsea in the Premier League," added Hitzelsperger.
"And I know how difficult that can be when you go away from home and have to prove yourself.
"Of course, it would have been better if he had trained with us on Saturday, but he is a good enough player to find his place, he has played so many games with Germany, he will found his place if he plays."
