Germany captain Michael Ballack made such a mess of his pre-tournament tips that he is unwilling to predict anything other than an exhausting battle in tomorrow's semi-final against Turkey.

The Germany captain said in an interview before the tournament that Italy, France, Portugal and Croatia were his favourites for the title.

None of them have reached the last four and as a logic-defying tournament nears its conclusion he is taking nothing for granted against clear underdogs Turkey.

"I admit I was utterly wrong with my predictions," Ballack told a press conference today.

"But the only important thing is that we have a major chance to go through to the final.

"Whoever you face at this stage you're going to get an even match. We know Turkey are missing a lot of players through injury and suspension but they have shown a never-say-die attitude.

"Their mental strength is a major factor, they can adapt to any opponent and they have a great motivator as a coach. We expect a very close game."

Ballack has played in two major semi-finals for Germany, scoring the winner against South Korea at the World Cup in 2002 but finishing on the losing side on home soil in 2006, after Italy struck twice in the last two minutes of extra-time.

Despite his goal in the 1-0 win over South Korea, Ballack missed the final through suspension, meaning it could be a case of third time lucky for the influential skipper.

"When we lost the semi-final against Italy two years ago it just showed once again that you have to give everything over the entire match," said Ballack, who has scored twice so far in this tournament.

"At the time I think the team was still short of a little something. This time we hope we have what it takes to beat Turkey, even if it takes 120 minutes."

The prize for winning on tomorrow will be a place in the final against either Russia or Spain on Sunday.