For Germany, it would be great news that midfielder and captain Michael Ballack is upbeat about the upcoming EURO 2008. Ballack in his move to London club Chelsea FC has had his criticism at the start when he was performing below par is now back at his best, helping Chelsea climb up the premiership table, almost nearly winning the championship altogether only to have Manchester United pip them at the end of the season.

He had also been instrumental in bringing Chelsea onto the final of the UEFA Champions League in Moscow in a week’s time. Chelsea has never made it this far and this time it was much towards the contribution of the German playmaker.

During his first year at Stamford Bridge, Ballack was less than impressive when he was suffering with a recurring ankle problem. That did not go to well with the fans for the former Bayern Munich player. It seems that all that is behind him now since December that Ballack has become more and more important, particularly his double against Manchester United nearly helped the Blues grab the title from the hands of the Red Devils.

All in all, it has been a great half year for the German who since coming back from his injury to gain the form he is so used to be associated with hopes to become greater than he had ever been by winning medals in both his club and country levels. He said that "It was a really tough time for me. The expectations [in England] were huge and I couldn't show people what I was capable of. I was distraught but I fought back and fortunately things are going well now. I'm back in the final of the Champions League and I'm in good form for EURO 2008."

In the 2002 World Cup, Ballack was one of the players that made up the losing finalists to Brazil while finishing third 4 years later in Germany. Ballack brings with him a string of experience ranging from his years at Kaiserlautern to the times he played for Bayer Leverkusen where they lost in the Champions League final.

He believes now that the team he is in are all in great shape to get to the finish line, particularly in the national team. He said "We were strong in qualification and we're in good form now. If we can keep those performances going then we have a good chance of reaching the [UEFA EURO 2008] final and winning it. But there is still a long way to go to get there."