MUNICH -- Michael Ballack was hoping to be the host with the most.
Instead, the German captain will have to wait to make that impression now that he will be sidelined for today's curtain raiser of World Cup 2006.
Bothered by a nagging calf injury the past few weeks, German coach Jurgen Klinsmann finally declared Ballack out of tonight's opener against Costa Rica.
"We wanted Ballack back on board as he is our captain and leader, but it is important that he recovers," Klinsmann said yesterday.
"We want him to get back to full fitness so that he can be fit for the other games in the competition."
In other words, when he is needed.
The Germans' first reasonable test comes next Wednesday when they face Poland in Dortmund. Fortunate to be in one of the lighter groups, they can likely make do without Ballack for at least a week.
Ballack had to retire during the middle of a training session on Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday's session as well.
He was not on the field at Munich's World Cup Stadium last night when the team went through it's final preparations.
Tim Borowski and Sebastian Kehl are thought to be the men in the frame to step in for Ballack against Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, if the Germans take the Ticos too lightly, the country's career leading scorer said the hosts could be in for a rude welcome to the tournament.
"We are a better organized team," Paulo Wanchope said, referring to the squad that just missed qualifying for the round of 16 four years ago.
"Defensively we are stronger and we can also play good football and score goals.
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