Voller - admirer of Brazil. (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Yokohama

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Germany coach Rudi Voller today proved adept at psychological warfare as he is determined to play the role of underdog for all he is worth ahead of Sunday's World Cup final showdown with Brazil.

The way Voller waxed lyrical about the Brazilians, he would have you believe coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad are the best thing since sliced bread and his side have no chance going into the game at the Yokohama International Stadium.

While it is true Brazil are the favourites, and past history is on their side, this is a match which is too close to call as the most-feared strike force in the world goes head on with the meanest defence.

But in Voller's world, and in a two-horse race, Brazil are classic thoroughbreds, while his own Germany are clapped-out carthorses.

The 42-year-old, though, is clearly doing his damnedest to make his players feel they have absolutely nothing to lose, and make Brazil's players feel over-confident.

"Germany do not enter the match as favourites, but we will make the most of it and give it a go," said Voller, who was a World Cup final loser and a winner as a player in 1986 and 1990 respectively.

"If you look at the individual calibre of the Brazilian players, it is absolutely undisputed we are dealing with an outstanding world-class team," Voller added.

"Look at the amount of players Brazil had to leave at home due to restricting their squad to 23. We know many more are waiting in the wings to join the team.

"The ones here are all excellent, and it means that everyone of our own players has to play to the best of his ability in order to survive this match.

"We have to find the right recipe, as we did in the match against Cameroon when we managed to neutralise individual class by playing as a collective, always demanding the ball, by finding the right space and sheer running.

"If we don't succeed in doing that then things will look bad."

Voller is obviously not ruling out the prospect of Germany joining Brazil as the most successful nation in World Cup history by claiming a fourth title.

In coming so far, and in exceeding virtually everybody's expectations, it would be foolish to undersell his players too much as he added: "Many did not believe we would make it past the second round.

"However, we went on to higher things and now we definitely want more. We want to get our hands on the trophy. We really want to walk the extra mile.

"The mood is fantastic. We are thrilled to have reached the final, but on the other hand there is also tension in the air, although it is positive tension because we are all burning to go.

"I've talked to the players and I've made it clear to them the World Cup final is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they must not let it pass them by. We will do everything to get the cup.

"But what we must not do is approach the final in a hesitant or cautious mood. We have to believe in our own capabilities.

"If, as in the (semi-final) match with South Korea, we manage to gain possession and win most of the one-on-one situations, then we can win. Why not?"

Despite Voller's previous World Cup experience he does not believe there is now too much he can say to his players to help them overcome the tension he knows they will be feeling.

Voller, who scored 47 goals in his 90 caps for Germany, is letting his squad relax as much as they can by doing whatever comes naturally to them.

"We have 22 players here and each of them has their own character and personality," added Voller, without the inspiration of suspended midfielder Michael Ballack.

"Everyone has to find their individual way of coping with the pressure with his own little rituals.

"We have many experienced players who have gone through a lot in their footballing lives, but this is something they have to go alone. They don't need hours of advice."