Michael Ballack in injury sweat over Euro 2008 final

Jun 29 2008 By Euan Mclean

GERMANY are sweating over the fitness of Michael Ballack for tonight's final after their talisman suffered a calf injury.

The Chelsea superstar hasn't trained for two days after picking up the knock on Friday and missed last night's final session.

But the German medics were treating Ballack, 31, yesterday in a desperate bid to get him fit.

Boss Joachim Low said: "We have to see how it develops overnight. When I saw Michael this afternoon he was optimistic.

"He was not too down because the doctors say there is still a chance he could play."

The loss of Ballack would be a crushing blow to Low's side and midfield sidekick Thomas Hitzlsperger hopes his skipper recovers in time to face Spain.

He said: "Michael has proved over the years he is such an important player. He has scored vital goals in so many big games.

"He is a leader young players can look up to - and that's what we need against Spain."

The Ballack scare came just hours after Torsten Frings gave the Germans a massive boost by declaring himself fit to face Spain.

The influential midfielder broke a rib in his side's last group game against Austria and sat out the quarter-final with Portugal. He returned as a sub against Turkey and the Werder Bremen star insists he's now fully fit to start.

Frings said: "In the game against Turkey I had to take a number of blows to my broken rib but I didn't feel a thing. I'm ready to play again."

Frings' battling qualities in the heart of midfield could prove vital as the Germans look to combat a Spain side brimming with confidence.

The midfielder admits Germany have not been at their best but warned critics to write them off at their peril.

He said: "You can accuse us of a lot of things but we have had an answer to everything thrown at us.

That's why we're in the final.

"During the group phase certain things were not working and the coach changed the system.

"It's important we learn from what went wrong against Turkey because Spain will be tougher. We have to stop them getting into the game."

Meanwhile, German legend Oliver Bierhoff reckons the side have recaptured the spirit that drove them to glory at Euro 96 - where he scored both goals in the final.

Bierhoff, now part of the backroom staff, said: "I see the whole team as winners regardless of the result.

But that's no reason to take our foot off the gas.

"I don't consider us underdogs - we have no reason to fear Spain."