Frings fit to face Spain

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings insists he is fit and raring to go for Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain after recovering from a rib injury.

Frings was ever-present in Germany's opening three matches but he was forced to sit out his side's quarter-final victory over Portugal after suffering a broken rib in the last group game against Austria.

The vastly experienced Werder Bremen man returned to action during Wednesday's semi-final against Turkey, being sent on at half-time as Germany coach Joachim Low sought to counteract the dominance the Turks had enjoyed in the opening period.

The move appeared to help, with Germany much more effective after the break before going on to win the clash in Basle 3-2, and although it remains to be seen which team Low starts with against Spain, Frings is eager to be involved.

"Even in the game against Turkey I had to take a number of blows to my broken rib, but I didn't feel a thing," said the 31-year-old.

"I am totally ready to play again and get stuck into challenges. I don't know if I will be chosen but I am definitely 100 percent ready."

Frings' battling qualities in the heart of midfield could prove invaluable to the Germans as they look to combat a Spanish side whose confidence is sky high heading into the clash at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadion.

Luis Aragones' side has been victorious in its last 11 matches and is unbeaten in 21, with its latest triumph being Thursday's 3-0 defeat of Russia in their semi-final encounter.

The absence of tournament leading scorer David Villa through injury is a blow for the Spanish, but his loss could see Aragones further bolster an impressive-looking midfield with the selection of Cesc Fabregas.

With or without the Arsenal schemer, Frings believes Spain's midfield is a class apart from most other teams.

"They have a strong, technically gifted team capable of cutting through the midfield like no other side," said Frings.

"We will have to put them under pressure and prevent them from getting into the game, otherwise it could prove very difficult."

Spain's current form, combined with some inconsistent German displays over the last few weeks, means that for many people the Iberian nation is favourite to win its first major title since its European Championship success in 1964 this weekend.

Frings admits his side has not been at its best throughout the tournament, but he was warned his side's critics to write it off at their peril.

"You can accuse us of a lot of things but this much is clear: we have had an answer to everything that's been thrown at us so far and that's why we are in the final," he said on www.uefa.com.

"During the group phase certain things were not working and, because of that, the coached changed the system, which worked very well against Portugal."

"It's important now that we learn from what went on during the Turkey game."