Personally, I can genuinely see absolutely no point in it at all. Is there anyone who can come up with a decent reason to have the game at all?
Poll to follow.
Poll to follow.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Should there be a 3rd/4th playoff game at the WC?
- Thread starter Goldstone1976
- Start date
No. Pointless. As the commentators love to say, its 'the game nobody wants to play in'.
Hillian1
( . ) ( . )
Yes please.
It's another game of football on T.V during the summer.
It's another game of football on T.V during the summer.
Although, while I have said its pointless, it is sometime quite good FUN. Normally plenty of goals / and or over the top challenges, as the losing semi-finalists take out their frustrations on each other.
TWOCHOICEStom
Well-known member
In Sweden (I'm saying that a lot lately), they're so bloody proud of finishing 3rd at USA '94. It's not referred to as "that time we got to the semi-final", it's "the time we finished 3rd at the World Cup!".
Not so sure bigger footballing nations would have the same attitude, but I can understand why it's played.
Not so sure bigger footballing nations would have the same attitude, but I can understand why it's played.
shaolinpunk
[Insert witty title here]
Either David Luiz or Marcelo is going to lose the plot and get sent off
Puppet Master
non sequitur
- Aug 14, 2012
- 4,055
I think Brazill will want to restore SOME pride and put on a bit of a show to thank their paying mugs, er sorry fans.
- Thread starter
- #8
Are they? Wow. Ok,
At that point I paused for at least 30 seconds wondering what on earth I was going to put after the "ok,", but really don't know how to continue.
Perhaps you're right, and my attitude is conditioned by the thought that I'd be so distraught at losing the semi, I wouldn't give a fig about finishing 3rd or 4th. Case in point: Italia '90 - I honestly don't know whether we came 3rd or 4th. More - I can't offhand remember who we played...
Hillian1
( . ) ( . )
Italy, they won.
I have a vivid memory of Waddle, Butcher et al sitting with the Italian players after the game holding hand while doing a Mexican wave.
Tyreman123
Member
- Jun 27, 2013
- 97
I think it stems back to the old amateur days and the Olympic ideal of Gold, silver and Bronze...even now in Olympic sport (Eg Hockey, Boxing,Judo etc) there is always a play off for bronze and its worth winning as fourth gets nothing!
Hillian1
( . ) ( . )
Here it is.
- Thread starter
- #12
Oh yes; I do remember that now.
More to the point - following on from [MENTION=27980]Tyreman123[/MENTION] 's point - both sets of players are wearing medals. I wonder if they are the same as each other's (you know, a great big "L", perhaps?) or whether the Italians have a 3rd place medal (bronze equivalent, even though they actually look silver), and we have a 4th place medal (ummm, Tin, perhaps?)?
Vegas Seagull
New member
- Jul 10, 2009
- 7,782
As I'm earning circa £20 a goal from now on YES
Nb the average goals for this match is the highest for any 'competitive' match at any stage almost 4 over last 7 WC...so take that score off your Granny going over 2.5 goals to her under
Nb the average goals for this match is the highest for any 'competitive' match at any stage almost 4 over last 7 WC...so take that score off your Granny going over 2.5 goals to her under
- Thread starter
- #14
This is a decent, albeit highly personal, reason - the Brasil implosion must have had you dancing in the streets...
Hmmm - high scoring too on average, you say. Ta for that...
SouthCoastOwl
New member
Half empty stands says it all really and that's with the Italians having home support!
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,038
Don't see the point of it personally. Why not extend it to a Quarter Finalists mini league playoff and the winner of that plays the loser of the 3rd placed play off, or go even further back to the last 16 and have a competition for those who fail to qualify from that etc. ....
- Apr 5, 2014
- 23,587
I was only thinking this the other day. If I had lost on penalties in a semi-final I would just want to come home. Rather that than be paraded as the pre-final entertainment. I spoke to some work colleagues who have excellent memories of World Cups, but when I asked them about the England match for third place in 1990 they couldn't remember the score. Sums it up really.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 23,587
Or the losing eight from the second round could drop into another tournament for those who never made it in the first place. That would be a first........ Oh, wait...
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,312
i recall it being dull when i watched one. or maybe i just wasnt interested. either way, i do have high hopes for this one to match your description especially with the Brazilians out to prove something.
Exactly. Why object to another game of football between two talented (well, maybe not Brazil) teams? If you don't like it, don't watch it.