Ballack: Germany close to best

Michael Ballack says Germany are 'very close' to matching the likes of Brazil.

Jurgen Klinsmann's side bowed out of the Confederations Cup in the semi-finals after losing 3-2 to Brazil on Saturday, although more than held their own against the current World Champions.

Ballack again provided the inspiration, scoring once from the penalty spot, as Germany showed that they are on the road to recovery after a dismal Euro 2004 campaign.

Since Jurgen Klinsmann took the helm of the national side in the wake of Rudi Voller's departure, the three-time World Cup winners have looked to be steadily improving with the World Cup finals just twelve months away in their own backyard.

Now national captain Ballack has insisted that his side are nearly at the required international class, even if their style of play can never quite meet the high standards laid down by the South American nations.

"We don't have quite enough at the moment to beat the really big teams in the world," said Ballack.

"Perhaps we'll never duplicate the class of Argentina and Brazil, but I think we've showed we are very close to beating the very best.

"We're not lacking very much at all.

"It depends a lot on how you lose to a team like Brazil. I think we had a very good match.

"That the crowd gave us a standing ovation at the end despite the defeat shows we did well."

With Germany hosting the World Cup finals next year the Confederations Cup has proved a useful exercise in competitive football given the lack of qualifiers over the past 12 months.

Didi Hamann, Philip Lahm and Christian Worns are all set to return to the squad after Fifa's showpiece event and Ballack is confident that the squad have made the desired progression.

"We've come a long way," Ballack continued.

"We've got a way to go before the World Cup next year, there are a few players with experience who we need to bring back."