Ballack cleared to play in Euro 2008 final

VIENNA (Reuters) - Germany captain Michael Ballack will play in Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain despite a calf muscle injury.

The 31-year-old midfielder was named in the team line-up issued before the 1845 GMT kickoff, confirming an earlier report by Bild newspaper on its website.

"Bild has learned that the injured captain will definitely be in the starting lineup," the newspaper wrote on www.bild.de under a headline "Jaaaa! Michael Ballack spielt!" (Yeess! Michael Ballack plays!)

"In a team meeting after an afternoon training session Ballack's name was written on the lineup board."

Ballack missed training on Friday at the team's base in Tenero and he was unable to join the eve-of-match session at the stadium in Vienna on Saturday.

The German FA had said on Saturday that Ballack was considered doubtful for Sunday's final.

(Writing by Erik Kirschbaum and Trevor Huggins, editing by Jon Bramley)