Germany's Michael Ballack controls the ball during their World Cup 2006 quarter-final football match against Argentina in Berlin, June 30. - REUTERS
berlin (ap)
MICHAEL BALLACK DRAGGED himself through extra time of Germany's quarterfinal against Argentina with cramps before stepping up to score in the penalty shootout.
It's determination like that that has carried this Germany team into the semi-finals of the World Cup. And the captain knows his team needs more of the same against Italy in today's semifinal match in Dortmund.
"We want more. We are on a roll and we have enough confidence," Ballack said yesterday, pro-claiming himself fit again.
Ballack will be even more important after fellow midfielder Torsten Frings was suspended for the semifinal. Frings and Ballack have played in front of the back four, with Frings providing protection when Ballack ventures forward.
Ballack has been the team's central figure despite injuries. He missed the opening match against Costa Rica with a calf injury, then came back and steered Germany through three shutouts.
Against Argentina, Germany fell behind for the first time in the tournament but rallied on a Miroslav Klose goal in the 80th minute and eliminated the South Americans on penalties.
Ballack has done just about everything for Germany in this tournament, except score _ not counting the shootout. He came close against Argentina, directing a header wide and high in the first half.
"The success of the team is above anything else," the midfielder said. "We are going to do everything to force our luck and I don't care at all if I score or not."
Ballack has been doing plenty to fill the gaps in Germany's defence, going back in front of the back four to disrupt the other team's attacks, then carrying the ball quickly forward. That leaves him less time and energy to roam in the opponent's box than usual.
"His role is hugely important for us," coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "He is helping our defence in a major way. He leads the way."
With 31 goals in 69 games, Ballack is Germany's leading scorer among the current squad.
Ballack is trying to reach his first World Cup final. Four years ago, he led Germany into the semi-finals, got a yellow card before scoring the winning goal against South Korea and had to sit out the final against Brazil because of a suspension. Brazil won 2-0.
Ballack gave three grounds he thought were enough for Germany to win - the team is in form, its confidence is great and the support of home fans.
"We've played very consistently. It's impressive how we've applied what we wanted to do and we have to do the same against Italy. They have class, we have the home advantage," Ballack said.
Germany vs Italy head-to-heads
GERMANY AND ITALY have met each other 28 times before today's World Cup semi-final.
Here is a break down of previous meetings (Germany score first).
Date Venue Comp Score
1 Jan 1923 Milan Fr 1-3
23 Nov 1924 Duisburg Fr 0-1
28 Apr 1929 Turin Fr 2-1
2 Mar 1930 Frankfurt Fr 0-2
1 Jan 1933 Bologna Fr 1-3
15 Nov 1936 Berlin Fr 2-2
26 Mar 1939 Florence Fr 2-3
26 Nov 1939 Berlin Fr 5-2
5 May 1940 Milan Fr 2-3
(as West Germany)
30 Mar 1955 Stuttgart Fr 1-2
18 Dec 1955 Rome Fr 1-2
31 May 1962 Santiago WCF 0-0
13 Mar 1965 Hamburg Fr 1-1
17 Jun 1970 Mexico WCF 3-4 aet
26 Feb 1974 Rome Fr 0-0
8 Oct 1977 Berlin Fr 2-1
14 Jun 1978 Buenos Aires WCF 0-0
11 Jul 1982 Madrid WCF 1-3
22 May 1984 Zurich Fr 1-0
5 Feb 1986 Avellino Fr 2-1
18 Apr 1987 Cologne Fr 0-0
10 Jun 1988 Duesseldorf ECF 1-1
(as Germany)
25 Mar 1992 Turin Fr 0-1
23 Mar 1994 Stuttgart Fr 2-1
21 Jun 1995 Zurich Fr 2-0
19 Jun 1996 Manchester ECF 0-0
20 Aug 2003 Stuttgart Fr 0-1
1 Mar 2006 Florence Fr 1-4
Summary
All matches P W D L F A
Germany 28 7 8 13 33 42
Italy 28 13 8 7 42 33
In Germany P W D L F A
Germany 11 3 4 4 14 14
Italy 11 4 4 3 14 14
Comp matches P W D L F A
Germany 6 0 4 2 5 8
Italy 6 2 4 0 8 5
WC matches P W D L F A
Germany 4 0 2 2 4 7
Italy 4 2 2 0 7 4
Key - Fr - friendly, WCF - World Cup finals, ECF - European championship finals.
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