Who will be Germany's captain?

German football team captain Philip Lahm has thrown down to the gauntlet to injured playmaker Michael Ballack by saying he has no intention of handing back the captaincy voluntarily. The team has performed so well in the World Cup that Ballack's return is starting to look doubtful.

A power struggle has broken out in the German team ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semifinal against Spain after defender Philipp Lahm said he had no intention of handing the captaincy back to Michael Ballacj, the playmaker who is missing the tournament because of injury.

"I would obviously like to keep the captain's armband," Lahm told Bild newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday. "I enjoy the role a lot. So why should I give the position up voluntarily?" He went on to say, "if one does one's job on the pitch the way I am doing in my position, one wants more. One wants more responsibility. One wants to take care of everything. And that's the case with me now."