Ballack to start, Fabregas in for Villa

Germany captain Michael Ballack was passed fit to play in today's final against Spain after recovering sufficiently from a calf muscle injury.

The 31-year-old midfielder was unable to train on Friday or yesterday because of an inflamed right calf but was named in a Germany team featuring one change from the semi-finals, Torsten Frings coming in for Simon Rolfes as expected.

Spain coach Luis Aragones drafted Cesc Fabregas into the starting lineup in place of striker David Villa who misses the match because of a thigh injury sustained in the 3-0 win over Russia in the semi-final.

Fernando Torres will play as a lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Fabregas joining Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva in midfield and Marcos Senna occupying the holding role in front of the back four.

Germany

1) Jens Lehmann,

3) Arne Friedrich, 17) Per Mertesacker, 21) Christoph Metzelder, 16) Philipp Lahm,

7) Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8) Torsten Frings, 13) Michael Ballack, 15) Thomas Hitzlsperger, 20) Lukas Podolski and

11) Miroslav Klose.

Spain

1) Iker Casillas,

15) Sergio Ramos, 5) Carles Puyol, 4) Carlos Marchena, 11) Joan Capdevila,

19) Marcos Senna,

6) Andres Iniesta, 8) Xavi, 10) Cesc Fabregas, 21) David Silva and

9) Fernando Torres.

Referee

Roberto Rosetti (Italy)