Ballack boost

[Hamza]

Ballack boost



Germany received a significant boost before kick-off with captain Michael Ballack included despite a much-publicised calf problem and, perhaps buoyed by that news, Joachim Löw's team settled quickly. Much had been made of the contrast in styles between the two sides yet in the opening exchanges it was Germany whose passing looked crisper, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Hitzlsperger failing to make the most of glimpses of goal while Spain, shorn of four-goal leading striker David Villa due to a thigh injury, struggled to find their feet in a new 4-5-1 formation in which Cesc Fàbregas was rewarded for a fine semi-final display with a starting place.