American golfer Walter Hagen once proclaimed, “No one remembers who came in second.” For the most part, he is right, yet Germany and Uruguay will play to decide who is the World Cup’s third best side. Do we care?
Football fans and those on the bandwagon can continue to debate whether FIFA needs to persist with the tournament’s third-place playoff.
It comes at a horrible time for the two teams, days after being beaten in a semi-final.
For a short time, both have the chance to possibly redeem themselves before they, like the rest of the world, must sit back and watch the main show.
There are bonuses.
The smaller football nations have the chance to continue showcasing their talents on the world stage and take third ahead of fourth.
Nations like Turkey, Croatia, Sweden, Poland, Austria and the like.
Third place is, rightfully, a big deal for these nations.
But does it matter, and do they care, in Germany (three time champions) or Uruguay (two time winners)?
The South Americans probably desire it more as they have entered the final four for the first time since 1970.
For the neutral, there is an added bonus – goals.
The last seven games have yielded 30 goals between them, including a 4-2 win by France over Belgium in 1986 and Turkey’s 3-2 win over Korea Republic four years ago.
Many football fans around the world will be appreciating an additional World Cup game.
Is this game just another to wet the appetite before Spain and the Netherlands hit it out on Monday morning our time? Germany deserves third ahead of Uruguay and we could well see a plethora of goals.
One man licking his slips is Miroslav Klose, who is one goal away from equalling Brazilian Ronaldo’s World Cup goal scoring feats. Further down the track, will we remember who came third and do we really care?
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