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Injured Ballack in race to be fit for Euro 2008 final

28/06/2008

Germany captain Michael Ballack is a major injury doubt ahead of the Euro 2008 final against Spain tomorrow.

The midfielder, who has scored two gaols in Germany's run to the final, is struggling with a calf injury and was unable to take part in training yesterday.

Ballack is having continuous treatment on the injured calf in a desperate attempt to be fit for the showpiece event, but coach Joachim Low is already contemplating playing the final without his inspirational skipper.

"On Friday he had problems with his right calf, the muscle has hardened and he couldn't possibly participate in the training, so we will have to wait and see how things develop," said Low.

"Our medical people are working round the clock, but we have to think seriously about what's going to happen if Michael Ballack cannot play.

"There are two possibilities, Tim Borowski or Bastian Schweinsteiger, both of them can take his position, but we will decide that on Sunday."

If Ballack was forced to miss the final then it will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Chelsea star. He guided Germany to the final of the World Cup in 2002 but was unable to play in the final because of a suspension.