Germany vs Portugal third place match is still a World Cup fixture

The FIFA World Cup third-place playoff will remain a World Cup fixture because, at least according to soccer's governing body, the losing semifinalists still have something to play for.

"There's still a high value in that match," FIFA communications director Markus Siegler told a news conference Wednesday, the morning after Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in a semifinal game at Dortmund.

Instead of contesting a final in its capital Sunday, at the Berlin Olympic stadium, Germany will have to regroup for a playoff for third against the other losing semifinalists Portugal the previous evening at Stuttgart.

The usual criticism of the third-place match is that the teams are deflated after losing semifinals and rarely perform at their peaks.

"If you speak to players, for them it still matters whether they finish third or fourth," Siegler said. "This particular case, in which we have the German team involved, I'm pretty sure this will be another great match. "There's still prestige, it's still about the team knowing 'we finished third on the field of play."'

There is no extra financial incentive. The third- and fourth-place teams each receive 21.5 million Swiss francs ($17.5 million), according to FIFA. Local organizers are yet to announce the star performer for a 10-minute closing ceremony that will precede the final. With the host team knocked out of contention after a stirring campaign, the revelry that has followed each of Germany's wins turned to disappointment.

Germany 2006 organizers reported no major trouble after the Dortmund match, but reflected the national mood.

"We regret the team is now playing in Stuttgart. We would have loved them to be playing in Berlin -- but congratulations to the Italians for a great match," said local organizing committee spokesman Gerd Graus.