Ballack and the 'trauma' finals

Will Cry champion of a new or frustration? On Sunday, before Spain, German Michael Ballack will attempt to break the "curse" of their final lost at the international level and shouting champion in the Euro 2008.

"It is something important, rather special, being in a final. It is not something that happens every day," said the Chelsea player, who has repeatedly seen images from the last title of the selection of Germany in 1996, Euro England. And just as Jürgen Klinsmann climbed the steps toward the stage of Wembley stadium on that occasion to receive the trophy from the hands of Queen Elizabeth, Ballack expects emulate in Vienna. For the former Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, on Sunday compared with boys of Luis Aragones will be the fourth final of his career outside the local level, and expected to be lucky. Because so far, frustration has pointed out that last match for the title, in which there are no half measures: either forget or coronation.

The 'trauma Ballack' had its last chapter barely six weeks ago, when the midfielder fell to Chelsea in the final of the Champions League, with Manchester United, in Moscow. Six years earlier, also experienced the taste of defeat while still wearing the shirt Leverkusen in the final of the Champions League compared to Real Madrid from French Zinedine Zidane.

And Germany has not ido better. In 2002 it was outside the World Cup final in Japan and Korea that the Germans lost to Brazil, there is a double caution. In Euro 2004, neither Germany nor Ballack came a long way: first round elimination. And two years later, Italy foiled in semis access to the end of World hosts.

Against this background, and despite his four titles in the Bundesliga, and three other Cup in Germany, it seems that the 'spell' subcampeonato prosecution of the 31-year-old player. His record is supplemented by three other posts second in the league and galemana other two in the English Premier League, plus a German Cup final loss.

After the dramatic 3-2 over Turkey on Wednesday, Ballack has taken refuge in silence, focusing exclusively on this new moment of truth in his career. With 43 international presences as captain (and 86 in total), is already among the major drivers of Germany in history, but for getting on the pedestal of Fritz Walter, Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthaus and Klinsmann in dire need of an international title.

In May, in Moscow, the impotence of Ballack for a new final loss was expressed with tears. But shortly after, the talented Midfielder lifted his head to take the lead in the German campaign in pursuit of its fourth European title in Austria and Switzerland 2008. "He left it behind. It's good in football when you have new challenges quickly," said the German, who in their presentations in Klagenfurt, Vienna and Basle showed the personality necessary to bring the captain's armband. "He has learned to cope with the responsibility," said Beckenbauer.

However, beyond orders to his companions and his commitment to the struggle for the ball, the Euro was not even a scene of extraordinary performance Ballack. To highlight include his two goals, both vital, of Austria 1-0 before, with a stunning free-kick, and the third to Portugal in the quarter, with a precise header. But, with touches of his talent and everything, if not before Spain leads his country longed to cry champion, in two or four years must be re-writing this note on Ballack and their trauma, compounded by years and Final lost.(source: elmundo)