Germany can win the European Championship final if it prevents Spain's passing game, midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said on the eve of Sunday's match.
"We got to close them down, then we have a good chance," the Stuttgart player said.
Hitzlsperger, who also played for Aston Villa, has earned the nickname "the Hammer" for his powerful left-foot shot and has five goals in 37 matches for Germany.
"It's the biggest game of my career," Hitzlsperger said Saturday. "We've grown throughout the tournament and I think we can create problems for them. They have been the most consistent team in the tournament.
"It's two good teams facing each other. We've had some difficulties, but we deserve to be in the final."
Spain is the only team that won all five of its games, while Germany lost 2-1 to Croatia in the group stage.
Germany captain Michael Ballack could be out of the game with a right calf injury after missing Germany's final two training sessions on Friday and Saturday.
"He's proven over the years how important he is for the team," Hitzlsperger said. "He's scored so many important goals. He has a big presence on the field, he's a leader, he is someone the younger players look up to. If he is out, someone else will have to step up."
Spain will also be handicapped by the absence of the tournament's leading scorer, David Villa, who notched four before rupturing a right leg muscle in the semifinal against Russia.
"They're such a good side, they don't depend on one player," Hitzlsperger said. "They can compensate for the absence of Villa.
"We have to close them down, and we have to do it early. They keep the ball and make you run, and the worst thing you can do against them is to run, you get tired. If we can close them down, we can beat them."
Germany used that game plan to shut down Portugal, which went into the quarterfinals in the role of favorite but lost 3-2 to Germany, which came out very aggressively and used a crowded midfield to stifle their flowing game.
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