Germans sign off in style

Germany finished their World Cup preparations in impressive fashion with a 3-0 win over Colombia in Monchengladbach.

The host nation have had a somewhat mixed build-up to the finals, but Jurgen Klinsmann's side signed off with a morale boosting win as Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Tim Borowski all scored.

With just seven days to go before their tournament opening tie against Costa Rica, a German side eager for a positive result took the lead early on through captain Michael Ballack.

The Chelsea new-boy headed home from a Schweinsteiger free-kick on 21 minutes to continue his prolific record at international level.

Eight minutes before the break, Bayern Munich's Schweinsteiger turned finisher when he converted with a thunderous free-kick to double the advantage over the South Americans.

Substitute Borowski then wrapped up the scoring just eight minutes after entering the fray, netting with a classy finish in the 69th minute.

However of some cause for concern for Klinsmann was the form of strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, with Klose proving particularly wasteful in front of goal by missing two sitters in the first half. 

Despite his hit-men misfiring, it was a productive day all round for the German boss as defender Philipp Lahm played for 86 minutes after undergoing elbow surgery on an injury that threatened his place at the World Cup at one stage.