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added to the German squad.

The Czechs welcome back the four players suspended from their semi final shoot out win over the French. In addition, the Ryan Giggs lookalike, Patrik Berger (along with Karel Poborsky one of their few players who threaten the unexpected) looked none the worse for his fever when coming on against the French.

"I will look at the players in training and assess the situation," said Dusan Uhrin yesterday. "Some are more tired than others and we have the four available again to us.

Of some concern is goalkeeper Petr Kouha's groin strain, though Newcastle's likeably soft spoken Pavel Srnicek is an able understudy. Furthermore, their confidence has visibly grown since that meek, nay timid, opening performance against the Germans, disciplined defence, unheralded experience and strong organisation overcoming the petulant Portuguese and the restrained French.

By contrast, Germany's football has grown understandably weary since a bright start yielded wins over the Czechs and Russians with an aggregate of 5-0. They were rocked to their socks by a fired up Italian team, were indebted to the Croatians' self destructive temperament and came within a few inches of losing to the English. Then again, as ever, they're still standing.

Vogts admitted sanguinely yesterday: "This is the worst injury situation I have known, but I am not depressed. You have to make contingency plans." And what began as a joke has now taken a serious tone after Vogts confirmed: "We have taken the precaution of having outfield shirts made for (reserve keepers) Kahn and Reck."

Klinsmann hasn't given up hope of starting a Wembley match for the first time. "I still have a hope, even if it's not a big one. The doctors have been clear to me, but I still believe I can get fit. I always try to think positively and maybe they can help me make it. Every single day it's got better. The physiotherapists are very happy with the situation so far and I just hope that everything gets better. We keep hoping."

Realistically, though, since Klinsmann has missed training for six days, the continent's final will probably be denied its foremost striker, in which case Thomas Hassler will become Germany's fourth captain of the tournament in his 80th international.

The imperious Matthias Sammer and Dieter Eilts give them backbone, but in the absence of Moller and Klinsmann, Germany are short of match winners, so the likes of Hassler and Mehmet Scholl need to stand up and be counted.

It may not be a classic. An early Czech goal would force the Germans to gamble, and no comeback is ever beyond them, but if the onus was on the Czechs they probably wouldn't be up to it, especially as it could cement any lingering psychological doubts from their opening defeat. If there's no early goal, then the Germans will have to work hard for it. But they should get there.