Fuente: © Chelsea FC
http://www.chelseafc.com/

CHELSEA FC: GERMANY'S ATTITUDE TAKES THEM TO FINAL

/noticias.info/ Michael Ballack believes it was Germany's 'strong mentality' that secured them a place in the Euro 2008 finals last night.

The German captain also felt that despite his country not producing one of their best performances, nothing could be taken away from the sterling display Turkey produced at St. Jakobs Park.

'It was a hard game for us. I think it was not the best game for us but I think we knew before that we would have to fight and that the team were difficult to play,' explained the Chelsea midfielder.

'They are very defensive. But they played very good football also on the offensive.

'We expected a very strong team. They had beaten Croatia and Czech Republic and we know these are very strong teams. It was a really hard fight.'

Turkey certainly came out fighting in last night's semi-final, with Kazim-Richards hitting the post inside the first 15 minutes before they took the lead through Ugur Boral just past 20 minutes.

With Turkey now renowned for their comebacks in this tournament, it was a change of stance to their normal defensive play at the beginning of games and this time it was Germany who were forced to comeback from a one-goal deficit, something which Ballack and his side were not anticipating.

'We expected a bit of a different game, we expected defence,' said the 31-year-old.

'But they started very well, they started with a lot of confidence and we were not so fresh like in the other games.

'We had six days off, normally we have three, and we didn't like it.

'But in the end we came back and we scored three goals, in the end it was a tough game.'

With Germany now in Sunday's final, Ballack feels it will be the team's attitude that will help them become European Champions.

'We have a good mentality, when we have big games most of the time we are very concentrated, but also you need a bit of luck.

'I think most of the time we deserved the final but now we are in one more.'

But as he ponders who his opponents could be on Sunday, he has no preference over Spain or Russia.

'I think all teams that play in the semi-final and go to the final are very strong, so we will wait and see,' he added. notas_de_prensa_archivo