Germany wait on captain Ballack ahead of World Cup opener

By Barry Whelan Jun 7, 2006, 15:13 GMT

German national player Michael Ballack speaks at a press conference of the German Football Association (DFB) at the International Congress Centre (ICC) in Berlin, Tuesday, 06 June 2006. EPA/Michael Hanschke

Berlin - Captain Michael Ballack remained Germany's only injury doubt 48 hours before Friday's World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

Ballack was scheduled to begin full training Wednesday for the first time this week. But a question mark remains on whether coach Juergen Klinsmann will risk playing him in Friday's Group A match in Munich.

The 29-year-old midfielder had been sidelined with a calf injury suffered in a friendly international last Friday against Colombia. Ballack is receiving treatment for a hardening of the right calf muscle.

The Germany team's medical staff reported 'progress in the recovery process', a team spokesman said. Klinsmann ordered a closed training session, the team's last in Berlin before they fly Thursday to Munich.

Ballack's team-mates remained confident their key player would recover in time for the tournament opening match.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said: 'His experience and quality make him very important for the team. With exceptional players you can replace them for one or two games but not long term.

'It would be nice if he could play Friday but we have a player like Tim Borowski - if he is picked - who is in a position to replace him and who is in good shape.

'It would be pity and a blow if Michael was to be out for three or four games. That would be tragic, but I'm optimistic he will be playing on Friday.'

Striker Lukas Podolski said Ballack was a key player but there were others in the team who would carry the responsibility if the Chelsea-bound player has to miss the World Cup start.

'I don't think he will be missing for several games with this sort of injury. If the worst comes to worst he will miss the opening game,' he said.

Podolski and team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger, both 21, said they were feeling no pressure ahead of the encounter with Costa Rica

'I am completely relaxed. I am looking forward to the opening game,' said Podolski who will be joining his friend Schweinsteiger at Bayern Munich next season.

'We have to put the Costa Ricans away - and then continue against Poland.'

'I don't feel the pressure,' said Schweinsteiger. 'A lot of people expect us to go far but personally I am not bothered at all by the pressure. I will be glad when it starts and am looking forward to the games in packed stadiums and the atmosphere. I hope we will improve from game to game and at least win the first three games.'

Lehmann said Germany would have to be on their guard against the unfancied Costa Ricans, regarded as the outsiders in a group which also features Poland and Ecuador.

'Costa Rica will be a team eager to show what they can do in front of a worldwide audience,' he said.

'They are technically very good with some fast players. They showed against the USA for example that they are in a position to play good football and achieve results, and we will now have to see how they can deal with a pressure game. I think we have the edge there.'