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Bierhoff points to Ballack

05 Jun 2008 - 14:00:27

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Captain Michael Ballack has been backed to help lift Germany to Euro 2008 glory by former international striker and now team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

Bierhoff believes the fact that Ballack ended the domestic season with Chelsea without a trophy after finishing as runners-up to Manchester United in the Premier League and Champions League, will spur the talismanic midfielder on during the tournament.

"Ballack has all the qualities you need (to be the most valuable player) and could grace the stage of such a big tournament," said Bierhoff, who was part of Germany's 1996 European Championship winning side.

"He sees the chance to win a title, something that he missed out on over the last few weeks."

Meanwhile, German Football Federation president Dr Theo Zwanziger has warned the squad not to just expect success in Austria and Switzerland.

He said: "We have laid all the foundations for success but that's absolutely no guarantee.

"Now is not the time for big talk, we have to convince on the field.

"I see a large selection of good players has come together as a team so I expect, like millions of Germans, a good tournament for our team, playing attractive football.

"We have a big chance to win the title, but at the same time we have the greatest esteem for all other sides. In this tournament there will be 16 nearly-equal teams."