Ballack's curse at finals could strike again

VIENNA (Reuters) - Michael Ballack's run of bad luck at major finals could well continue on Sunday as the Germany captain struggles to overcome a calf injury in time to face Spain in the Euro 2008 decider.

Ballack scored the winning goal in Germany's World Cup semi-final victory over South Korea in 2002 but he also picked up a yellow card that forced him to miss the big game against Brazil through suspension.

The 31-year-old played on the losing side in the 2006 World Cup semi-final against Italy, just as he had the previous year in the Confederations Cup against Brazil.

If his right calf muscle fails to respond to treatment quickly enough, he will again miss the chance to play in a major final for his country.

Coach Joachim Loew said on Saturday that the midfielder was still optimistic, though the signs are not good.

Ballack was nursing a similar injury at the start of the 2006 World Cup and he ended up missing the opening match against Costa Rica.

"This afternoon when I talked to him he was still optimistic," Loew said at a news conference on the eve of the final.

"He wasn't depressed because the medical people are saying there is still a chance. We still have more than 24 hours.

"For every player who misses a final through injury it's an enormous disappointment, yes, but let's not talk of what might happen. We'll do everything we can to see if he can play."

While Ballack has so often been unlucky at international level he has at least played in two Champions League finals.

Unfortunately he finished on the losing side each time -- with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and with Chelsea last season.

(Editing by Trevor Huggins)