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By Iain Rogers
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, May 31 (Reuters) - Captain Michael Ballack grabbed an 82nd minute winner for Germany, who fought back from a goal down to beat Serbia 2-1 on Saturday in their last friendly before the Euro 2008 finals.
Substitute Oliver Neuville sidefooted home in the 74th minute to cancel out Bosko Jankovic's first-half opener before Ballack drove a free kick through the Serb wall and into the net with goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic rooted to the spot.
It was a less than convincing performance from the hosts, one of the favourites for the Euro 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria beginning on June 7.
"It wouldn't have been great if we had lost so everyone stepped on the gas," Ballack said in a television interview. "We are not yet at 100 percent but our form will improve."
Coach Joachim Loew had taken the precaution of resting striker Miroslav Klose, who has a minor ankle problem, and started with Mario Gomez and Kevin Kuranyi up front.
Gomez created an early chance for Ballack to put his side ahead but Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic was on hand to hook the Chelsea midfielder's diving header off the line.
Serbia took the lead shortly after, Jankovic racing on to a defence-splitting pass and slotting past Jens Lehmann.
The Palermo midfielder almost had a second at the start of the second half when his close-range shot crashed off the bar but the introduction of Neuville with 20 minutes to go proved decisive when he turned in Jansen's inviting cross.
"In the first half we wasted our opportunities but thankfully it all came together at the right time," Loew said at a news conference.
"Michael Ballack carried the team forward today and was a strong presence on the pitch," he added. "The win is definitely important for the mood and confidence of the players."
Germany are in Group B at Euro 2008 with co-hosts Austria, Poland and Croatia.
