Ecuador the focus not last 16 says Klinsmann

German headcoach Jurgen Klinsmann gestures during a press conference at the ICC centre in Berlin. Klinsmann has refused to be drawn on Germany's potential opponents in the last 16 of the World Cup, saying topping the group with a win over Ecuador was the priority.

Jurgen Klinsmann has refused to be drawn on Germany's potential opponents in the last 16 of the World Cup, saying topping the group with a win over Ecuador was the priority.

Germany face potential match-ups against England or Sweden in the knockout stage but Klinsmann wants a third successive win on Tuesday in Berlin to top Group A.

Ecuador have also qualified for the second round and a draw against Germany would see them finish as group winners.

"I am not thinking of who we can meet in the last 16. You have to look forward but there is no point in looking too far ahead," Klinsmann said at a press conference on Friday.

"We are concentrating on Ecuador now. We are glad to have qualified with one game to spare but we want to qualify as group winners with a win over Ecuador.

"It is the first game in Berlin and we want to give the fans in the capital something to celebrate."

Ecuador coach Luis Suarez said he may rest players for the Germany game but Klinsmann vowed to field his strongest team.

Captain Michael Ballack has been pencilled in to play despite running the risk of suspension after collecting a yellow card in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Poland.

"We will take the Ecuador game seriously. We want to keep our rhythm going and Michael Ballack will play," Klinsmann revealed.

"He gives the defence stability and offers an attacking threat. We were much more compact against Poland and Ballack had a large part in that."

Klinsmann admits he was impressed by Ecuador and believes they are a better team than many people give them credit for.

"Ecuador are the third best team in South America behind Brazil and Argentina. I think they are showing that here," said the former Bayern Munich striker.

"People said they could only win at altitude in Quito but they have proved that is not the case.

"We watched their two games at the finals and also kept tabs on them before the tournament. We are going to analyse all of the Ecuador players again."

Germany's players have been afforded a day off to relax and switch off from the World Cup but Klinsmann has no fears that they will be dancing the night away in one of Berlin's countless nightclubs.

"I know the players will not be hanging around Berlin discos at two in the morning," Klinsmann said.

"They know what they want and you can see that in training."

'High tempo' is a term Klinsmann loves to use and the Euro 96 victor revealed the German players had been putting in gruelling training sessions to enusre they could compete with the other physical sides in the tournament.

"I think there are other fit teams in this tournament. Sweden had an unbelievable tempo against Paraguay and the Argentina-Ivory Coast game was very fast-paced," he admitted.

"We want to be able to play at a high tempo and keep up with our opponents. To play at this level you need to have this fitness and it is something we have put a lot of emphasis on."

It has paid dividends with Germany scoring in the 87th minute against Costa Rica in their 4-2 victory and in the second minute of stoppage time in the win over Poland.