World cup third position playoff: Germany vs Uruguay
Imaginably Germany and Uruguay have had a hard time in the last couple of days, losing out on a world cup final must be a huge disappointment. Both the teams however would be very pleased with their performance at the world cup. This Uruguay team has reignited their country’s hopes and their glorious history in South Africa. The two time world champions have not won a world cup title since 1950 and this time they came dangerously close. On the other hand, Germany were the surprise of the tournament. Their young team was not given a chance but they proved their worth by outclassing teams like England and Argentina on their way to the semi-final.
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Germany will miss Klose's services in the world cup after this game. This was his third tournament.
Hence, when they meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth fireworks can be expected. Both teams are expected to field their best players knowing that this will be a battle for supremacy. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has categorically stated in the media that Uruguay want to win and they will take this game seriously. Uruguay star striker Diego Forlan who was carrying an injury in the semi- final game against Germany hopes to be fit for this one. Forlan gave Uruguay their best chance in that game when he equalized through a stunning 30 yard shot going into halftime.
Germany will bring out their best players to make sure that they repeat their feat of the 2006 world cup where they finished third ahead of Portugal. Germany will go into the game against Uruguay as favorites. However, the loss against Spain might have had an impact on the temperament and emotion of Germany players who are young and impressionable. However, Germany coach Joachim Lowe will make sure that the lads put in their best performance. If Germany are on song they might produce another goals galore.
Germany are likely to have the services of Thomas Muller restored who was suspended for the semi-final game against Spain. Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger will make the engine of the team. At the head, as usual Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. Klose stands a chance to equal and surpass Ronaldo de Lima as the highest goal scorer at world cup of all time. He currently stands at 14 goals, one goal behind Ronaldo. Klose will also surpass his country man and legend Gerd Muller if he scores a goal in the match for Germany.
Germany have another golden boot hopeful in Thomas Muller who has four goals in the 5 world cup matches he has played. Diego Forlan and Klose have four each too. So this match might be critical to decide the winner of the Golden Boot award.
Here are the two teams in the competition so far.
| Germany 07/07-10 | World Cup, Semi final | Germany vs. Spain | 0:1 |
| 03/07-10 | World Cup, Quarter Final | Argentina vs. Germany | 0:4 |
| 27/06-10 | World cup, Pre Quarters | Germany vs. England | 4:1 |
| 23/06-10 | World Cup, Group D | Ghana vs. Germany | 0:1 |
| 18/06-10 | World Cup, Group D | Germany vs. Serbia | 0:1 |
| 13/06-10 | World Cup, Group D | Germany vs. Australia | 4:0 |
Key Players Germany: Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose
Uruguay
| 06/07-10 | World Championship | Uruguay vs. Netherlands | 2:3 |
| 02/07-10 | World Championship | Uruguay vs. Ghana | 1:1 1:1 (OT) 5:3 (AP) |
| 26/06-10 | World Championship | Uruguay vs. South Korea | 2:1 |
| 22/06-10 | World Cup, Group A | Mexico vs. Uruguay | 0:1 |
| 16/06-10 | World Cup, Group A | South Africa vs. Uruguay | 0:3 |
| 11/06-10 | World Cup, Group A | Uruguay vs. France | 0:0 |
Key Players Uruguay : Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Maxi Pereira
