World Soccer

FILES - Picture taken on November 18, 2009 shows Germany's midfielder Michael Ballack standing with his teammates before the friendly football match Germany vs Ivory Coast in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany. Germany captain Michael Ballack said on February 10, 2010 that friction over prolonging trainer Joachim Loew's contract was unsettling for the team as the clock ticks down to the World Cup in four months. AFP PHOTO DDP / LENNART PREISS (Photo credit should read LENNART PREISS/AFP/Getty Images)