Turkey mentality worries favorites Germany

TENERO, Switzerland (CNN) -- Skipper Michael Ballack believes Turkey's mentality is the greatest threat to Germany's European Championship title ambitions going into tonight's semifinal in Basle.

Skipper Ballack says that European rivals Turkey have a bit of the German mentality about them.

Skipper Ballack says that European rivals Turkey have a bit of the German mentality about them.

The Turks have massive injury and suspension problems, but their never-say-die attitude under coach Fatih Terim still makes them dangerous opponents.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack is still chasing his first major title and the 31-year-old said: "I am very calm. All us see a great chance to be in the final and win the title. It's up to us."

Turkey have scored last-minute winners in their last three games to progress to their first Euro semifinal against all the odds.

"Turkey are certainly not better than us tactically, technically and in terms of individual players," said Ballack who excelled in Germany's 3-2 win over Portugal in the last eight.

"But they are unpredictable and they won't underestimate any of us.

"Turkey have up until now always been brilliantly set up against their opponents and they almost have a bit of the German mentality about them.

"It will be a tough task, but we have a big chance of making the final."

Ballack is set to have Torsten Frings back alongside him in centre midfield at St Jakob Park, the Werder Bremen anchorman having returned to training after breaking ribs.

Germany coach Joachim Low confirmed all 23 players in his squad were available for the match.

The situation is the exact opposite for Terim who has four players suspended and five on the injured list.

He could be faced with the prospect of playing third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin in an outfield position if he is needed off the bench.

In the group stage, Ballack had a solid, if average game, doing little in the 2-1 loss to Croatia.

But he scored with a free kick in a 1-0 win over Austria to send Germany into the quarterfinals, then notched the decisive third goal against Portugal after one of the best performances for Germany in recent years.

He has 38 goals in 85 games for Germany.

Ballack scored the vital goals in Germany's progress to the 2002 World Cup final, but missed the game because of suspension and Germany lost 2-0 to Brazil.

Two years ago at home, Germany reached the semifinals but lost 2-0 to eventual champions Italy, conceding the decisive goal late in extra time.

"The memory of Dortmund shows us that we have to give our best until the end, and especially against the Turks we have to be committed until the final whistle," Ballack said.

"Of course, we are motivated by that exit against Italy. Now we want to take that final step. We need to have very good performances to lift the trophy."

Ballack credits his good form to a full recovery from an ankle injury that had sidelined him for nearly eight months, and says English football has also made him quicker.

"It was a long break and I had the necessary peace and quiet to recover," he said. "The Premier League is very demanding and has done me good."

London-born Colin Kazim-Richards is available to Terim and he is backing his coach, who is nicknamed 'The Emperor' in his homeland, to do the impossible again.

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"He is always instilling belief," the 21-year-old forward said of the former AC Milan and Galatasaray boss. "He is incredible. He doesn't let your head go down - if it does, he shouts at you straight away.

"And believe me, when that man shouts you look. It's like nothing I've seen before. The coach gives us belief."

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