This shouldn't hurt zzzGermans vs. Costa Rica, but he had better be back for the next games.Ballack to miss opener for Germany
6/8/2006 9:25:40 AM
BERLIN (Ticker) - Michael Ballack has hit back at suggestions he could have done more to get himself fit for Germany's World Cup opener against Costa Rica on Friday.
Ballack, the Germany captain, sustained a calf injury in last Friday's friendly against Colombia.
He then enjoyed a two-day break with his family in Munich before reporting the problem to team doctors upon his arrival at Germany's base in Berlin.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to announce on Friday that his captain, who recently signed for Chelsea, would not be available for the tournament opener.