The Chelsea midfielder was a key member of the team which reached the semi-finals two years ago under Jurgen Klinsmann.

And the former Bayern Munich man feels Joachim Low's current crop are in the right shape to go one step further in Austria and Switzerland.

Ballack told the German FA's official website, www.dfb.de: "Back then in the tactical and technical areas we were still not too good.

"This time the team is prepared, because we have played a constant system for four years that everyone has taken on board."

Ballack is looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the Champions League final on penalties by taking Germany all the way this summer.

The skipper believes anything less than an appearance in the final should be classed as a disappointment.

He added: "We came third at the World Cup. Therefore it is clear that we will be considered one of the favourites.

"We ourselves also have to demand that we get to the final. We have a group from which we can progress."