Scolari - preparing his side for Germany clash (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Yokohama

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Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is determined to take the heat off his players in a bid to beat a Germany side he describes as "cold and calculating" in Sunday's World Cup final.

Scolari's Samba stars start the match at the 70,000-capacity International Stadium in Yokohama as strong favourites to lift their fifth world title following their wins in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994.

Germany, meanwhile, are aiming to join Brazil as the tournament's most successful nation in claiming a fourth World Cup after lifting football's most-prized possession in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Ironically, for two teams who have played in 12 of the previous 16 finals between them, they have never met at any stage of the competition, so ensuring history will be made in the Far East.

But considering they both almost failed to qualify, it is remarkable they will now face one another in the final, and with Scolari eager to ensure his squad are free from the burden of pressure.

Brazil, as always, carry the hopes and dreams of a passionate nation, 95% of whom are understood to have watched Wednesday's 1-0 semi-final victory over Turkey.

Scolari, taking the weight of expectation off his players' shoulders, said: "I have told my players that in my view they are already champions because of all they have gone through to get this far.

"On Sunday I want them to play without pressure. I want them to be aware of their responsibilities without being suffocated by it.

"After Turkey, I said to the players 'it's in God's hands now'. I want the players to go on the pitch and enjoy themselves on Sunday.

"In terms of the physical side, we are not going to do anything. On the technical and tactical aspects, all our work is done. The most important thing is to make sure the players are ready psychologically."

Scolari is refusing to underestimate Rudi Voller's Germany, who have come a long way in such a short space of time since being humiliated 5-1 on home soil by bitter rivals England.

"Germany is a traditional, cold, calculating team. That's why we have an enormous amount of respect for them," added Scolari.

"Like Brazil, they had a difficult qualifying campaign, but once they were freed from their own pressure, they have become a stronger squad."

Franz Beckenbauer, meanwhile, is backing Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to stop shooting stars Rivaldo and Ronaldo from firing Brazil to glory.

The illustrious trio are the main protagonists contesting the adidas Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's most outstanding individual, and voted for by the media.

The three players are among a list of 10 proposed by FIFA's Technical Study Group, and also include two other Brazilians in Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos, another German in Michael Ballack, Hasan Sas of Turkey, Senegal's El Hadji Diouf, Spain's Fernando Hierro and South Korea's Myung Bo Hong.

Kahn, Rivaldo and Ronaldo, though, look certain to scoop all the votes, with German legend Beckenbauer unsurprisingly siding with the player he rates as "the world's best goalkeeper" to win not only the individual honour, but also lead Germany to a team triumph.

"For me the most spectacular player so far, apart from Ronaldo and Rivaldo who are excellent players, has been Oliver Kahn," stated Beckenbauer, who captained Germany's 1974 winning team and was coach of the 1990 champions.

"He has been fantastic from the start of the tournament, conceding just one goal in six matches. He has been the most outstanding player so far.

"He is the greatest and the best goalkeeper in the world, and I think it will be very, very difficult for Ronaldo, Rivaldo or whoever to beat him."