Who will take 3rd?

And more importantly who cares? Often deemed the most pointless match of the tournament it is still a match to savour, especially for someone like me, mourning the fact that the end of the tournament is nigh!

This is the kind of match where men who are 50-50 chances of playing will be given the opportunity to rest. Would Ballack have missed the final with the inflamed knee that is keeping him out of this match? I think not! No doubt there will be a few changes. Miguel has also been ruled out through injury.

A nice gesture is that Lehmann has agreed to stand aside and allow Oliver Kahn one last World Cup game as he wins his 86th cap. Klose will have the opportunity to extend his goals tally, Podolski may try to catch him up.

Surely the game promises to be an open affair? Surely the shackles will be released? I certainly hope so, last tournament's 3-2 win from Turkey over Korea at the same stage was a highly entertaining affair.

As to who will win: who can say, as to who I want, who can say that either? I would like to see lots of goals. I think overall Germany may edge it.

Portugal have only been in this territory once before (1966), Germany have appeared in the 3rd/4th play off 4 times.