FRANKFURT: German coach Joachim Loew will decide next month who between Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm will captain the team in qualifiers for the 2012 European Championships.

Ballack, Germany captain up until the injury that ruled him out of this summer`s World Cup, and Lahm, who took the armband and led the Germans to third place in South Africa, are both interested in the role.

Neither Ballack nor Lahm will play in Germany`s friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen on Wednesday, and Loew was keen to play down the debate over the duo.

"This issue excites the media and pundits more than it does me," he said. "I`ve got nothing to say on the matter because it`s got nothing to do with the current Germany team."

Loew added that he would "have talks with the interested parties".

"We`ll have a serious discussion, I`ll let them know what I think, I`ll listen to them and then I`ll make my decision."

Germany, runners-up at Euro 2008, will kick off their campaign for the 2012 championships in Poland and Ukraine against Belgium on September 3.

Also making up Group A are Austria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey.

BDST: 1848 HRS, AUGUST 10, 2010