VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Germany captain Michael Ballack passed a late fitness test Sunday and was in the starting lineup for the European Championship final against Spain.
Ballack had been nursing a right calf injury since Friday and missed the team's final two practice sessions ahead of the final. The decision whether he could play was made shortly before the kickoff.
Team doctors have worked extensively on Ballack's calf muscle since Friday.
Ballack, a key factor in Germany reaching the final, missed out on the 2002 World Cup final because of a suspension. The 31-year-old Chelsea midfielder also missed the opening game of the 2006 World Cup because of a similar injury on the same calf. He is still looking for his first major title.
Ballack, who can both orchestrate and finish off his team's attacks, has scored two goals in five matches at Euro 2008. He connected on a blistering free kick against Austria in a first-round match, and headed in the winning goal in the 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Portugal.
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