Coach Rudi Voeller, whose strikers have all struggled so far, will rely on his playmaker for a game Germany have to win to guarantee a quarter-final spot.

"It is very important that Michael Ballack can get near the box and in a position to score," said Voeller.

Germany could squeeze through with a draw but only if the Netherlands and Latvia share the points and Voeller refused to consider that option.

"We have to win and I believe we can," he said. "The Czechs want to take something away from us and we mustn't let them."

Germany, at risk of another early exit after failing to survive the group stage at Euro 2000, can turn to history for inspiration.

They beat the Czech Republic 2-1 with a golden goal in the Euro 96 final at Wembley to capture their last title.

Since then the three-times world and European champions have failed to beat a European team at a major tournament.

"It's about time that changed," said Voeller.

The reference for Germany will be their convincing 1-1 opening draw with the Netherlands, obviously not the dismal 0-0 draw with Latvia that followed.

"If we show the same passion as against the Netherlands, I'm convinced we will make it," said Voeller, who was expected to play roughly the same formation as against the Dutch with just Kevin Kuranyi up front.

The Czechs, who have already won the group, will rest several players, notably midfield inspiration Pavel Nedved.

"To think that might be an advantage would be foolish," said Germany captain Oliver Kahn, who remembers his team were in a similar situation at Euro 2000 and were sent packing after a 3-0 defeat by Portugal's second string.

Probable teams:

Germany (4-5-1) - 1-Oliver Kahn; 3-Arne Friedrich, 4-Christian Woerns, 5-Jens Nowotny, 21-Philipp Lahm; 8-Dietmar Hamann, 6-Frank Baumann; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 13-Michael Ballack, 22-Torsten Frings; 10-Kevin Kuranyi.

Czech Republic (4-4-2) - 16-Jaromir Blazek; 17-Tomas Hubschman, 21-Tomas Ujfalusi, 5-Rene Bolf, 13-Martin Jiranek; 20-Jaroslav Plasil, 19-Roman Tyce, 7-Vladimir Smicer, 14-Stepan Vachousek; 18-Marek Heinz, 15-Milan Baros.

Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)

Linesmen: Steinar Holvik (Norway), Ole Hermann Borgan (Norway)

Fourth official: Urs Meier (Switzerland)