Euro 2008 player to watch- MICHAEL BALLACK

Germanys ever reliable captain Michael Ballack will once again be the key man for Germany who come into the tournment as favourites. Ballack has struggled for fitness in recent seasons but scored some vital goals in Chelseas run in including a brace against eventual champions Manchester United. Capitano (as Jurgen Klinsmann named him) was instrumental in World Cup 2006 as the hosts reached the semi finals and his experience and know how will be key as germany look to win their first game at the euros since Euro 96.

Ballack started his career with Chemnitzer FC before moving onto Kaisersluten and then Bayer Leverkusen where he was a Champions League runner up in 2002 and in the same year Germany lost in the world cup final as Ballack could only sit and watch as he was suspended for the final. Ballack was fast becoming a star and it wasnt a surprise when Bayern Munich snapped him up, he went on to win the German title in 2003, 2005 and 2006  and scored 44 goals in 107 appearances for the German side until in the summer of 2006 he joined Chelsea on a free transfer he had an indifferent first season in english football and was linked with a move to Real Madrid after only one season with Chelsea.

His second season in England didnt start any better as he spent the first half on the sidelines with a chipped ankle bone but in the second half of the season the German came into his own and once again showed why he is one of the best central midfielders in the world,  but as a major trophy still eludes him  he will be looking to end that with the Germans looking as strong as they have done since Euro 96.