Germany

Ballack cleared to play in Euro 2008 final

17:55 BST, Sun 29 Jun 2008
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Germany's Michael Ballack celebrates his goal during their Euro 2008 quarter-final soccer match against Portugal at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel, June 19, 2008.     REUTERS/Max Rossi (SWITZERLAND) MOBILE OUT. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

VIENNA, June 29 (Reuters) - Germany captain Michael Ballack will play in Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain despite a calf muscle injury.

The 31-year-old midfielder was named in the team line-up issued before the 1845 GMT kickoff, confirming an earlier report by Bild newspaper on its website.

"Bild has learned that the injured captain will definitely be in the starting lineup," the newspaper wrote on www.bild.de under a headline "Jaaaa! Michael Ballack spielt!" (Yeess! Michael Ballack plays!)

"In a team meeting after an afternoon training session Ballack's name was written on the lineup board."

Ballack missed training on Friday at the team's base in Tenero and he was unable to join the eve-of-match session at the stadium in Vienna on Saturday.

The German FA had said on Saturday that Ballack was considered doubtful for Sunday's final.

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