GERMANY’S hopes of securing a third European Championship, their first in 12 years, were dealt a blow here last night when it emerged that Michael Ballack is doubtful for today’s final against Spain. The German captain missed training yesterday and on Friday with a calf injury. He will receive intensive treatment all day today, and is considering having a painkilling injection to lead his team in what he has billed as “my biggest match for years”. Tim Borowski, the 28-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder, is on stand-by to come into the team, with Bastian Schweinsteiger moving in from the right to play off the main striker, Miroslav Klose.

The Germans kept Ballack’s injury quiet until a public training session made it obvious last night. Coach Joachim Loew said: “Michael has not been able to train for the past two days. The problem began on Friday, when the muscle in his right calf stiffened up. We will see what happens overnight. We have to think seriously about the possibility that he won’t play. We have alternatives in Schweinsteiger and Borowski and will make a decision tomorrow.”

Asked how Ballack was hurt, Loew said: “We don’t really know. Sometimes players get hit during a match and the strain only shows up two or three days later. It was inflamed, he was in pain and unfortunately the situation has not improved. But when I spoke to him this afternoon he was still optimistic because according to the medical staff there is still a chance of him playing. Of course, missing a final through injury is an enormous disappointment, but let’s try to do all we can for him to play. ”

The Chelsea player has a history of missing out on major honours. He sat out the 2002 World Cup final against Brazil in Japan after a booking in the semi-final. A few weeks earlier, he had been part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that lost the Champions League and German Cup finals.

Although Ballack did not impress in the semi-final win over Turkey on Wednesday, he has been hugely influential in his team’s progress through to the final, scoring two goals.

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, who is in Vienna for the final, expects Ballack to play. He said: “The German medical people are the best in the world, and I’ll be surprised if he isn’t out there. They need him because midfield is where I think the Germans will suffer. Ballack covers more ground than people realise, and he is a player who can carry the team.”

Even so, Wenger believes Spain will edge home. “Spain will win 2-1,” he said. “Throughout the championship they have played well. They’ve gone 21 games without losing and I’d like to see that consistency rewarded.” Spain’s Cesc Fabregas could be the key to unlock Germany, his club manager felt. “He always looks to play the ball forward,” Wenger said. “Those who have that vision are the ones who make you win.”

Spain will be without one of their key players. David Villa, the tournament’s leading goalscorer, injured a thigh muscle against Russia on Thursday and will miss the final.

Additional reporting: Ian Hawkey