NO BAL-LACK OF LEADERS FOR THE GERMANS

MICHAEL BALLACK says Germany still have the experience to win the World Cup despite an exodus of older players.

Germany have reached at least the semifinal in seven of the last nine World Cups, going back to Spain in 1982, and made the quarters in the other two.

The last tournament marked the end of an era for a number of German stalwarts.

Phillip Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski have all retired since they lifted the trophy in Brazil.

But former skipper and Betfair ambassador Ballack (right) said of Germany, who open against Mexico tomorrow: “We are still a good team. Older players have left but new players have stepped up and there is a good balance. Manuel Neuer is our biggest presence, then there’s Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller “These are the main players. “But we know it’s going to be really difficult to do what no other nation has ever done – retain the World Cup.”