Ballack first at last

FC Bayern München midfield player Michael Ballack has been voted Germany's Footballer of the Year by the country's sports journalists.

Terrific form
Ballack, who was in terrific form last season as he led Bayer 04 Leverkusen to the UEFA Champions League final and his country to the FIFA World Cup final, won the prestigious award with 433 votes.

Kahn second
In second place was Ballack's new team-mate, and favourite for the honour which has been handed out since 1960, German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn who returned 345 votes. Kahn won the award in 2000 and 2001.

'Delighted'
"I am absolutely delighted, this also is an award for the team of Bayer Leverkusen, where I played last season. Football is a team sport," Ballack said before Bayern's Champions League third round qualifying match at FK Partizan in Belgrade on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Leverkusen's coach Klaus Toppmöller won the German Coach of the Year award with 396 votes ahead of Matthias Sammer of Dortmund with 163.

Pleasant change
It will be a pleasant change for Ballack to win something as the 25-year-old, who scored 17 1. Bundesliga goals last season, finished a runner-up on four occasions last term. Leverkusen lost to Real Madrid CF in the Champions League final and to FC Schalke 04 in the German Cup final before losing out on the title on the last day to BV Borussia Dortmund. He was also suspended for the World Cup final - after being booked in the semi-final - which Germany lost to Brazil.