UEFA EURO 2008 FINAL
Date: Sun 29 June Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Coverage: Live on BBC ONE and BBC Sport website (UK only), full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Spain resolve delights Aragones ...
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Germany captain Michael Ballack is a doubt for Sunday's Euro 2008 final after missing training on Friday and Saturday because of a calf injury.
The German Football Federation said the 31-year-old, who has scored two goals in the tournament, is having treatment.
Spain will have to alter their line-up, with striker David Villa ruled out because of a thigh injury.
That could mean a start for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a five-man midfield, with Fernando Torres the lone striker.
Chelsea midfielder Ballack suffered the injury in training on Friday and will be desperate to play, having missed out on the 2002 World Cup final because of suspension.
"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 Germany coach Joachim 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."
Should Spain coach Luis Aragones choose to go with the side and formation that eventually strolled past Russia 3-0 in Thursday's semi-final, that would mean a start for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a five-man midfield, with Liverpool player Fernando Torres the lone striker.
"I know how well he can perform," said Aragones, 69, who has had four stints in charge of Atletico Madrid, where he made his name as a player.
"I like a player like Cesc, 20-years-old and someone who has acquired the experience of someone who's 27, 28. To us, he's important."
The Spanish are full of confidence ahead of the final, having turned themselves from 'perennial underachievers' to - during the course of the tournament - many people's tip to win the final.
Spain may not have won a major honour since 1964 - their victory in that year's European Championship their only title to date - but Liverpool striker Torres believes the side are equipped to go all the way this year.
"This team is already making history but we can do even more," he stated.
"Germany know how to win tournaments, they know how to play these games and we know we have be careful because they are the favourites. But we can win it too."
However, Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has played down suggestions that his side are favourites and commented: "We have demonstrated what capabilities we possess but we should put Spain one step above us.
"That said, this was the case against Portugal (in the quarter-final) as well and it doesn't have to be to our disadvantage."
And the former striker, whose 'golden goal' against the Czech Republic gave Germany the European title in 1996, hinted Low's side would set out to be hard to break down rather than expansive in attack.
"Spain control the ball very well and they provide decisive passes," he added. "We will have to play very tightly, double-team a lot and keep the marking close."
That philosophy was supported by Frings, who said: "We shouldn't let them into the game. We have to be aggressive, we have to step up even as they are receiving the ball.
"I don't think they like it when you are aggressive against them."
BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
Germany and Spain have met each other 19 times and Germany have won eight of these contests, while Spain proved the strongest on five occasions.
At the World Cup and European Championship, the two teams have played each other five times, with Germany winning three times and Spain having the upper hand only once.
Spain's only victory in the Europeans was a 1-0 group phase triumph in 1984. Antonio Maceda's legendary injury time header eliminated West Germany, marking the only time until 2000 that (West) Germany were stranded in the group phase of a European Championship finals.
The last time these two met was a friendly in February 2003, which Spain won 3-1.
Team facts - Germany
Germany have qualified for the final of the European Championship for a record sixth time and the first time in 12 years. In 1972, 1980 and 1996, they went on to win the trophy, and on two occasions, in 1976 and 1992, the Germans lost the final against Czechoslovakia and Denmark respectively.
Team facts - Spain
Spain have qualified for the final of the European Championship for a third time, following their appearances in 1964 and 1984.
Spain have lifted the trophy only once in 1964, after beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final. In the 1984 final, Spain lost 2-0 against Michel Platini's France.
Since losing to Romania (0-1) in November 2006, Spain are unbeaten in 21 matches (18 wins and three draws). The Spanish record is 31 and was set between September 1994 and November 1997.
At the age of 69 years and 337 days, Luis Aragones will become the oldest coach ever to appear in the final of a European Championship. Aragones will be more than four years older than Otto Rehhagel (65 years, 327 days) was four years ago when Greece took on Portugal in the Euro 2004 final.
Player facts - Germany
Jens Lehmann can become the oldest player ever to appear in a European Championship final. If he plays, Lehmann's record setting age will be 38 years and 232 days, breaking the record set by Arnold Muhren, who was 37 years and 23 days old when he played for the Netherlands in the 1988 final against the Soviet Union.
Lukas Podolski (three) will be the biggest threat to keep David Villa (four) from claiming top scorer honours at this European Championship. Ballack, Klose, Schweinsteiger (Germany) and Guiza (Spain) have all scored twice.
Arsenal (Jens Lehmann, Cesc Fabregas), Real Madrid (Christoph Metzelder, Iker Casillas) and Real Betis (David Odonkor and Juanito) are the three clubs that will provide team mates on both sides of the pitch.
Kevin Kuranyi can win his 50th cap for Germany. He made his international debut in March 2003 in a 1-1 draw against Lithuania.
Player facts - Spain
David Villa is still in line to become top scorer at the 2008 European Championship, but will not add to his total of four goals as he will be sidelined for the final due to injury.
Miscellaneous Info
Germany will have mixed feelings regarding referee Roberto Rosetti. The Italian was in charge on 28 April 2004, when Germany suffered one of their biggest defeats in recent memory in a friendly against Romania (1-5). Rosetti was also the referee in Germany's 2-1 away win against the Czech Republic in the 2008 European Championship qualification.
Spain have also had changing fortunes when Roberto Rosetti was the referee. At the 2006 World Cup, Spain lost 3-1 against France in the round of the last 16. In the 2008 European Championship qualification, Rosetti was also the referee when Spain beat Sweden 3-0 at home.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports
(BBC)
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