After missing out on the Carling Cup to Tottenham in February, the Blues finished second in the Premier League to Manchester United earlier in May and lost the Champions League final to the same opponents on a penalty shoot-out last week.

The 31-year-old midfielder is desperate to avoid a similar heartache this summer and has arrived in Germany to prepare for the European Championship in high spirits.

"I am motivated and have set my sights on winning the European Championship with the national team," he said.

"I have had a few days to relax and to take a step back, but now I am looking forward to this new task."

Ballack is set to lead his team onto the field at the Betzenberg Stadium on Tuesday in their penultimate warm-up fixture before Euro 2008 against Belarus.

And he has assured coach Joachim Low that his mind is cleared of last Wednesday's disappointment and that he does not need to rest any longer.

"I want to get back up again and not relax - I have come here to play," he said.

"I have dealt with everything that has happened and am looking forward again now.

"Finally, we are under way again and I am happy to have a new goal to aim for immediately."