Germany still strong without Ballack

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany coach Joachim Loew believes he will be taking a strong squad to the World Cup finals, even though it will be missing injured captain Michael Ballack.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack has been ruled out of the tournament in South Africa with an ankle injury but Loew says the coaching staff has confidence in the rest of the squad.

Speaking in an interview with the national team’s official web page, Loew declined to say which three players will be dropped from his preliminary squad when the final 23-man selection is announced.

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