The host nation hopes it won't have to find out in its World Cup semifinal against Italy.

Ballack and Klose both cramped up during Germany's quarterfinal win over Argentina. Klose was substituted out after scoring a late equalizer, while Ballack played through extra time and took one of the decisive penalties.

That match was Friday and the Germans don't have much time to recover before Tuesday's semifinal in Dortmund.

"They are getting physiotherapy and both will be fit and able to play," assistant coach Joachim Loew said Sunday of Ballack and Klose.

Germany's staff, however, has often downplayed injuries.

Klose had a bruised calf and Ballack limped at the end of regulation and throughout the extra time, getting treatment on his calf several times on the sidelines.

Ballack entered the tournament with a calf injury and did not play in Germany's opening match against Costa Rica. He then missed some training with an ankle injury that also bothered him before the World Cup.

He's loomed large in the German midfield, getting back to clear balls defensively while also directing the attack. Klose has scored five of Germany's 11 goals and leads the tournament.

It would be a huge setback if either misses Tuesday's semifinal.

Italy also has injury problems -- defender Alessandro Nesta is still recovering from a right thigh injury and remains in doubt.

The semifinal match between two three-time winners has the potential to be a World Cup classic, but Loew warned against too high expectations, saying both teams would be cautious -- much as Argentina and Germany played Friday.

"Italy has been playing the same way for 60 years, it won't give up that philosophy now," Loew said. "They wait for their chance, they are patient."

Germany has never beaten Italy in four World Cup matches. The last time they played in the tournament was the 1982 final, which Italy won 3-1.

Overall, Italy leads the all-time series 13-7, with eight draws.

Going to Dortmund could be an advantage for Germany. It has 13 wins and one draw -- and no losses -- in noisy Westfalen Stadium.

Italy beat Germany 4-1 in a friendly in March, a defeat that nearly led to the firing of coach Juergen Klinsmann.

"We are not thinking of that now at all," Loew said. "We are a different team now."