Fourth-ranked Germany will kick off its Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a Group A game in Brussels against 48-th ranked Belgium on Sept. 3. The team that looked so impressive in the World Cup this summer should be ready to go, even though they played poorly in their 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup semi final. They need to get back to attacking football and use their speed to get back on track.

Manager Joachim low has confirmed that 33-year-old Michael Ballack will remain as Germany’s captain even though the midfielder will miss the game due to injury. Philipp Lahm will continue as acting captain until Ballack gets back. Low also said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Shalke is still his first choice in net with Tim Wiese and Rene Adler battling it out for the backup job.

Low has recalled 17 players from his world Cup squad along with newcomers Adler, Christian Trasch, Heiko Westermann, and Sascha Riether filling out the 21-man squad against Belgium. Germany drew 2-2 against Denmark in August, but used an experimental squad as World Cup players were allowed to rest up for the qualifiers.

Bet on the Euro qualifiers at WIlliamHill Sign up here to claim your bonus!

However, some of the summer’s World Cup team are injured for this match as Jerome Boateng, Dennis Aogo, Piotr Trochowski, and Arne Friedrich are all out injured and Serdar Tasci was left off the team due to fitness concerns.

Not too much has been said about Belgium, as they head into the qualifying round as outsiders, but they have a good mixture of exciting youngsters and experienced players. New manager George Leekens is looking for ambitious youth to lead the way and has chosen six players who were born in 1989 or later to meet Germany.

Experienced players such as Daniel van Buyten, Thomas Vermaelen, and Timmy Simons will be around to help the likes of Axel Witsel, Steven Defour, Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini, Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, and Kevin Mirallas.

However, it’s the youngsters who have raised Belgium’s hopes in making Euro 2012. These include striker Romelu Lukaku of (Anderlecht), forward Kevin de Bruyne of Genk, striker Christian Benteke of KV Mechelen, defender Toby Alderweireld of Ajax Amsterdam, and striker Jelle Vossen of Genk.

Belgium hasn’t fared too well against Germany over the years though by winning only four and drawing once out of 23 games while losing 18. However, three of the four wins came at home. Belgium hasn’t beaten a German side since 1954.

If Leekens’ young Belgian players are anywhere near as good as Germany’s, who include Mesut Ozil. Thomas Muller, and Lahm, then it could be a good match, especially with Belgium having home field advantage. However, the Germans usually find a way to pull out a win and look for them to take this game 3-1.

Sportsbook William Hill has the odds of Germany winning listed at 4/9 with a Belgian win at 11/2 and a draw at 13/5. A 3-1 German win is listed at 12/1.