What Bettors Need to Know: Germany vs. Uruguay
By ASHTON GREWAL
The low point of a splendid World Cup comes a day before the tournament’s final match. The third-place game, meaningless to most viewers, will be played between two nations entering the pitch with mixed emotions.
While finishing third in a World Cup is a great honor, it seems terribly unsatisfying for a pair of teams that was so close to playing for the world crown on Sunday.
Figuring out which national squad wants the victory the most is the key to handicapping the contest.
Different strokes for different folks
This is Germany’s second straight appearance in the World Cup third-place match. The three-time world champs beat Portugal in the first runners-up game in 2006, but that was in Germany. Still, Die Mannschaft have finished no worse than third in any of the last three World Cups and they placed second in Euro 2008.
Uruguay, on the other hand, haven’t made it this far in the World Cup since 1970. The tiny South American country exceeded well beyond their expectations and a third-place finish would be a great way to cap off a memorable month for the 16th-ranked nation in FIFA’s power ratings.
"Now what's left is to play to the death for third place," Uruguay forward Luis Suarez told reporters. "Because we know we've had a great World Cup, we don't want to just make do with being among the top four."
Ins and outs
Uruguay leading scorer Diego Forlan admitted to playing with a thigh injury in his team’s semifinal against the Netherlands and, despite adding to his World Cup goal tally in the match, it was apparent he wasn’t fully fit.
He’s holding out hope that he’ll suit up and be among the Celeste’s starting 11.
“I hope to be fit for Saturday,” the Athetico Madrid striker told press members this week. “I really want to play for third place. Even that would be great for everyone.”
Forlan isn’t the only star player whose availability is in doubt. German striker Miroslav Klose is dealing with a sore back and the injury is bad enough that some are saying he won’t play Saturday, even though he has a chance to pass Brazil star Ronaldo for most career goals scored at the World Cup.
It’s not all bad news for fans looking for an abundance of goals in Saturday’s match. Uruguay’s Suarez, who’s second in team goals with three, will return to action after sitting out against the Netherlands because of a red card he received for a goal-saving handball versus Ghana.
Thomas Mueller, arguably Germany’s best player at this tournament, returns from suspension. The 20-year-old Bayern Munich forward has four goals and four helpers in just five matches at this World Cup.
Did he really say that?
German captain Philipp Lahm was honest and frank with reporters following his team’s 1-0 loss to Spain.
"Right now, I really don't feel like playing for third place," captain Philipp Lahm said. "The disappointment is very big. We had a lot as our goal and we didn't succeed."
Yahoo! Sports reports that Germany will fly home immediately after their match on Saturday, regardless of the result.
One more German note: Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt told reporters Germany looked scared against Spain.
“(Germany) didn’t try to attack,” Kuyt told London paper The Independent. “We are going to attack and then you will see weaknesses coming to the surface. If you play like the Germans you are definitely going to lose.
“We don’t have players who are afraid and we don’t have players who feel small against the big opponents. There is respect for Spain but not fear.”
Numbers to know
Uruguay have allowed five goals in their last three matches after holding their opponents scoreless in group play.
Germany are 4-0 when scoring the first goal and 0-2 when conceding the first goal in this tournament.