Michael Ballack thread

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"I've had to battle a lot"

Michael Ballack is in his best form ever. Even now, he's looking forward to a future with Germany beyond EURO 2008.

Whatever happens over the next few weeks, Ballack would like to lead Germany into the World Cup in 2010, at least: "It continues to be an honour to captain this team. It's a task I hope to fulfil for some time, I'm aiming for 2010," he says

"But right now, I am focusing on the EURO," he says ahead of Germany's opening game against Poland on Sunday.

Question: This will be your fifth major competition. But never before have you have had so much praise heaped on you in advance. How do you cope with that?

Michael Ballack: It's definitely better to get praise than the reverse. But I know very well how things go. I know the pendulum could quickly swing the other way. I'm in good form right now, but that means working even harder to live up to expectations. I'm aware of my responsibilities. I'm experienced enough to know everything depends on results. Whatever the chit-chat now, all that counts is how we play from Sunday. What's important for me is that this time I'm starting the EURO top fit and not plagued with injury, as I was before other tournaments.

Question: You've been captain for four years. But you seem to be growing ever more into the job.

Ballack: It's a joy seeing the way young players are getting involved, looking forward to EURO 2008, and how they really want to play for the national team. Also it's great that we've had very good relations with our fans for a few years. My job as captain is to maintain the team and our fans pulling together. There've been times when things weren't so good, which was related to our variable performance. It's obvious, we need, above all, to perform. It remains an honour to captain this team. I hope to remain captain for some time.

Question: Does that mean you are planning to take part in the World Cup in South Africa - even though you're 31 now?

Ballack: 2010 is definitely one of my aims.

Question: Have you ever thought about when you might like to hang up your boots for good?

Ballack: No, I have no set plans. In the eight months I was injured, the thought crossed my mind a bit, because in that situation you're forced to switch off from football. But once you're fully back in playing mode, you don't have the space to plan ahead. Winning the next game is what you have in mind. Long-term planning is ardly possible.

Question: Will we ever see Michael Ballack back playing in the Bundesliga again?

Ballack: I don't think so. I played a good long time in the Bundesliga. I could easily see myself ending my career in England. It would be nic e to do that with a really top team like Chelsea.

Question: Do you sometimes worry, if Germany don't win EURO 2008, that you'll go down in football history as someone who always took second spot?

Ballack: That's not an issue for me. I've won a few titles in my time. Of course, you always want a spectacular success, but there's no magic formula. It's one of the imponderables of sport. Sometimes, you don't play that well yourself, but win the Champions League. It's not something you can control.

Question: The last time Germany won a match in the final stages of the EURO was 1996. How confident are you that Germany will beat Poland on Sunday?

Ballack: We are confident we can end our bad run. What's more, we need to win at least two games to reach the quarter finals, which is our first aim. But it's that first game where you have to show that you are in the right frame of mind. Then you can build up the momentum and confidence to carry the team right through the competition.

Question: Do you see Germany as one of the favourites for the EURO?

Ballack: There aren't many teams that don't go into a tournament with the aim of winning it. They all have confidence in themselves. There are ten or twelve teams that are aiming to win EURO 2008. We're one of them.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Wenger Backs Ballack For Player Of The Tournament

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Germany midfield general Michael Ballack to be crowned as Player of the Tournament at this summer’s Euro 2008 event.

For the first time in European Championships history, the fans will have their say on which Euro stars should be included on the Player of The Tournament award shortlist.

And Wenger is backing a player from one of his Premier League rivals, Chelsea’s Germany captain Ballack to not only make the shortlist; but to lift the award.

“So far Michael Ballack is the most influential player in his team,” The Gunners boss told the Daily Mail.

“I like the simplicity and efficiency of his game and the fact that he works very hard for his team and should be player of the tournament from the games so far.

“He makes final balls, good passes, he makes the difference in midfield when it's needed and when you need him to score a header, he's there as well. So you can't fault him.

“I'm happy for him, because he didn't always get the respect he deserved when he played in Germany. He leads now. He was quiet for a long time.

“I felt too quiet. He was leading by example but not with his communication. It looks like in this tournament he is leading by both."

Supporters will be given the opportunity to nominate three players to be put forward for consideration alongside three selections from the UEFA Technical Study Group (TSG). The TSG will then make the final choice on the award winner based on this final shortlist.

The final winner will be announced after the Final, which takes place in Vienna on the June 29.

Ballack has recently re-iterated his long-term commitment to his current club Chelsea in the wake of his good form at the Euros.

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Wenger Backs Ballack For Player Of The Tournament

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Another defeat in another final for a great footballer that is Michael Ballack.

Did not play in World Cup 2002 Final, and Germany lost. Played for Germany in Euro 2008 Final, lost again.

I really feel sorry for him, a great footballer like him deserves to be a winner of a grand final.

I really wanted him to lead Germany to success this season. The Player of the Tournament award could have also been easily his. I wanted him to lead Germany to success, so we could laugh at the haters, and Lothar Matthaus himself.

Who else thinks his number (13) has to do with this? He should fuckin' change it.

[Oliver_Kahn]

tbh mate that's a bit stupid.. how can the players' number affect anything, at all?

[Trim]

I know.

I'm not very superstitious myself.. but the number 13 is famously known as the number of bad luck.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Trim

I know.

I'm not very superstitious myself.. but the number 13 is famously known as the number of bad luck.

lol yeah but thats for fridays isn't it?

anyway, although I don't like him at all, I respect Ballack as a player and it's a real shame that he is yet to win a major final.

[__-SNAKE-__]

13 unlucky? What about Gerd Muller he had number 13, so did Paulo Sergio at Bayern.

[Trim]

What about Gerd Muller he had number 13

Oh well, I withdraw my comment.

[Vargas_4]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ballack announced his retirement from the NT

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I wouldn't be surprised if Ballack announced his retirement from the NT

Not before the WC`2010.

[Vargas_4]

Why do you think so?

[Trim]

Why do you think so?

He'll want to give his last shot in Africa.

[Vargas_4]

Wouldn't he be 33 or something?

Besides. It's time to give the next generation a chance. We aren't gonna rely on him forever.

[__-SNAKE-__]

His experience will count imo.

[BlackNess]

What next Generation ???

we are Germany ..... Schaweini, Lahm, Metesacker, Jansen, Podolski, Gomez this is the new Generation .

Italy have alot of 28+ players, they have to think about the next Generation.