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?
Smokygrayson
Guest
Having now watched the Germany vs Uruguay game, I can say YES! there is definitely a point in having the 3rd / 4th place playoff. It was a much better game than the Final. And it gives us one more game to savour before it's all over for four more years (snif..). I was thinking that once the final four teams are decided, a round-robin would be a good way to finish. The winners of the semis play each other (Spain - Netherlands), then the Losers of the semis play each other (Germany - Uruguay). Then the winner of the Germany - Uruguay game plays the loser of the Spain - Netherlands game to determine who plays in the final. This would have given Germany and Holland a chance to play each other. It means that there might be repeated games (ie. Spain v Germany, or Spain v Netherlands). IBut it would mean that a team that had an unfortunate slip somewhere in the last knockout stages could get a second chance. And we'd all get to watch more games.
sheek
Guest
So Axel, To the 98% of the world's population who aren't multi-millionaires, & who haven't made CEO or GM of a company, & who aren't rich &/or famous, we should just neck ourselves, because according to your criteria we don't count..... ? I wouldn't mind asking the players from those teams who finished 3rd in the WC, if after the passage of time, & passing of disappointment, if finishing 3rd was just a waste of time afterall..... ?? I also wouldn't mind asking the players from those teams who finished 4th, if they would rather have finished 3rd if they had been a bit more motivated at the time..... ??? It may not matter to you, & it may not matter to some players & fans at the time, but looking back, it's something to be immensely proud of..... just like the bronze medals at the Olympics..... in fact anyone who competes at an Olympics or the world cup is a winner.....
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
The first event I think of when I think about 1st 2nd 3rd is the Olympics. $2 million difference in prize money between finishing third and fourth at the Cup.
dasilva
Guest
It's usually an entertaining exhibition game Because of the low pressure nature of the game. Sides generally attack more and it's normally an open game with a fair amount of goal. So I don't really mind this game too much despite the fact there's nothing riding on it.
Axel V
Guest
Apart from improving Klose's goal scoring statistics, I don't think so. It's a waste of time. In the Olympics they have the aim of winning bronze medals. In football they achieve nothing by coming 3rd.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
So is there any point in playing the game Axel?
Axel V
Guest
The 3rd place winner is the first loser of the tournament. No-one brags about coming 3rd in the major football tournament. The world cup finalists are always remembered, no-one ever cares about 3rd. It’s better to say they’ve reached the Semi final rather than achieving 3rd.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
I think competitive instinct will take charge once they get on the ground, so they will play - and the explosion of goals in these games means they probably play with a bit more freedom. I don't think there is as much worry over the result though.
DaniE
Guest
I think the Argentinian rugby team showed how to do it well at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Granted you might put them in the category of Turkey, Croatia et al but it was great to see how committed the team was to each other, to the win and to having fun playing the game. I don't see why the 'larger' sporting teams shouldn't have the same attitude and approach to a 3rd/4th playoff. Sometimes it's hard watching games where you don't see the teams enjoying the contest... but just I don't see why they can't give it a good go.
sheek
Guest
I think it's character building - the ability to come back from bitter disappointment & pick up a lesser prize. Mimics life - gives a good grounding. That's if we're interested in being better people, of course.....