Do we still need the third place playoff?

[Rob1981]

Pros - Can't think of any.

Cons - Nobody cares who wins.  Nobody can even remember who wins afterwards.  Mainly just a cash cow for FIFA.  Other international tournaments don't have them.  Often second string sides put out anyway, devalued as a spectacle.  Actually feel a bit sorry for players who have to hang around for 4-5 extra days when they're totally crushed after losing a semi and just want to get home and haven't seen their families for a month.  Could put the final on a Saturday night instead of a Sunday if they did away with the third place game.

Pointless nowadays innit.  I always say I'm not going watch it but then watch it anyway because there is nothing else on.

[Readingfanman]

It always ends up feeling like a glorified friendly. However, I think the pros are if you get a team such as Turkey or South Korea make it to the semi finals, although they might not have finished in the final, to compete to finish 3rd is still an achievement. For a team like Germany, or Brazil etc, this match will always seem a little pointless because of the expectations. 

[PMLF]

It's pointless but it usually produces interesting games.

[GunmaN1905]

4 minutes ago, Readingfanman said:

It always ends up feeling like a glorified friendly. However, I think the pros are if you get a team such as Turkey or South Korea make it to the semi finals, although they might not have finished in the final, to compete to finish 3rd is still an achievement. For a team like Germany, or Brazil etc, this match will always seem a little pointless because of the expectations.  

It started feeling like a friendly over the last 3-4 World Cups.

But as you said, it's a huge achievement for the underdogs and if  someone like Germany or Brazil doesn't want to play in it, they can just field the reserves.

[Rob1981]

5 minutes ago, Readingfanman said:

if you get a team such as Turkey or South Korea make it to the semi finals, although they might not have finished in the final, to compete to finish 3rd is still an achievement.

The achievement for a smaller country is simply getting to the last four though.  They don't go home feeling like 3rd is somehow a better result than just going out in the semis and not having to play again.

[PaulHartman71]

Don't see the value of it at all, but it does mean this year I won't miss the final, as I'm at a festival Saturday night. If this wasn't on I imagine it'd be on the Saturday and I'd have missed it!

[GunmaN1905]

7 minutes ago, Rob1981 said:

The achievement for a smaller country is simply getting to the last four though.  They don't go home feeling like 3rd is somehow a better result than just going out in the semis and not having to play again. 

Yes, they do.

It's a huge difference when you go home with a medal and win the last game.

[PMLF]

The Dutch looked very happy in 2014 when they beat Brazil in the third place playoff.

[grff]

8 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Yes, they do.

It's a huge difference when you go home with a medal and win the last game.

Depends who you ask. Van Gaal was no fan of having to play the play-off in 2010.

Lee Dixon has previously spoke about how nobody in the England squad wanted to play in the 1990 play-off.

[GunmaN1905]

1 minute ago, grff said:

Depends who you ask. Van Gaal was no fan of having to play the play-off in 2010.

Lee Dixon has previously spoke about how nobody in the England squad wanted to play in the 1990 play-off.

Then field the reserves as I said.

I'm Croatian and the '98 success is pretty much a myth now. If it was just the semis instead of a medal, it wouldn't be seen as nearly as much of a success.

[Rob1981]

3 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

I'm Croatian and the '98 success is pretty much a myth now. If it was just the semis instead of a medal, it wouldn't be seen as nearly as much of a success.

Similar to the Welsh at Euro 2016 though that, a little unfancied team doing loads better than expected and getting to the last four and winning fans along the way.  Is Croatia 1998 a better story / better achievement than Wales 2016 because they finished 3rd whereas the Welsh only got to the semi and then there was no playoff?  Of course not.

[FaceCrusher]

I think it's pointless because most teams and fans don't care. Portugal fielded all the reserves in 2006 even if winning would equal their best result ever (1966).

[GunmaN1905]

7 minutes ago, Rob1981 said:

Similar to the Welsh at Euro 2016 though that, a little unfancied team doing loads better than expected and getting to the last four and winning fans along the way.  Is Croatia 1998 a better story / better achievement than Wales 2016 because they finished 3rd whereas the Welsh only got to the semi and then there was no playoff?  Of course not.

Imo, every third place is better than semi-finals if you look from the achievement standpoint.

Especially on the world cup.

[Chase Failey]

42 minutes ago, Rob1981 said:

Pros - Can't think of any.

If memory serves the games are usually quite fun?

Sometimes one of the players will be going for the golden boot too.

[Haguey]

I like it, usually a good match, feels like the prelude to the main event and it's always nice to get (effectively) a bronze medal. 

[Hodgy]

41 minutes ago, Rob1981 said:

Pointless nowadays innit.  I always say I'm not going watch it but then watch it anyway because there is nothing else on.

Tbf I've watched every World Cup in full since 1990 with the exception of 2002 and the only round / fixture I've never bother with is the 3rd place playoffs, 2 losing teams playing for nothing is totally pointless and always has been.

[gavo01]

Totally for it. 

Another chance to win some dosh in my works sweepstake. 

[Pukey]

It's like the intercontinental title before the world title. It's not what you're there for, but it's usually good fun, and as a match usually better than the main event.

[PMLF]

27 minutes ago, Pukey said:

It's like the intercontinental title before the world title. It's not what you're there for, but it's usually good fun, and as a match usually better than the main event.

It's nowhere near like the Intercontinental Cup title as that it's actually a proper title and it was (and the current Club World Cup is) the most important game of the year for South American teams and players. Most Brazilians would probably rather have their team winning this title than Brazil winning the World Cup.

Ronaldo winning both the Intercontinental Cup and the World Cup in 2002 is regarded as an achievement in Brazil, for instance.

[Pukey]

14 minutes ago, PMLF said:

It's nowhere near like the Intercontinental Cup title as that it's actually a proper title and it was (and the current Club World Cup is) the most important game of the year for South American teams and players. Most Brazilians would probably rather have their team winning this title than Brazil winning the World Cup.

Ronaldo winning both the Intercontinental Cup and the World Cup in 2002 is regarded as an achievement in Brazil, for instance.

I was making a flimsy wrestling reference  

[PMLF]

3 minutes ago, Pukey said:

I was making a flimsy wrestling reference  

I thought you meant the Intercontinental Cup.  

I don't follow wrestling, but I am sure your comparison is appropriate. 

[deltablue]

I think it adds a little something.

[JD nawrat]

People moaning about extra football?

it's great! We go from like 3 games every day to the SFs and Final being 3 games in 5 days or something... keep the 3rd place, it's always good to have. 

[bestbrother]

if harry kane needs a goal to win the golden boot i demand a 32nd place playoff 

[Rob1981]

Golden boot  Have a lie down.

[JD nawrat]

20 minutes ago, Rob1981 said:

Golden boot  Have a lie down.

Stranger things have happened... England don't even have that tough a group either, no reason Kane couldn't bang in 4/5 in the group stages. That alone could be enough for top scorer  (although probably unlikely). 

[git2thachoppa]

Would prefer if it was used as a (TV) opener for the World Cup final, have it in the afternoon of the final.

I don't remember any 3rd place playoff result other than just 4 years ago when Netherlands trounced Brazil too either 3-0 or 5-0, guessing 3-0.

[Jakarooney]

13 hours ago, Rob1981 said:

Golden boot  Have a lie down.

Ikr. Ridiculous to think that a 50 goal a year (2017) striker could get anywhere near the golden boot. Just ludicrous

[Razzler]

It's the only competition that does it (?) and I get 'they're all so disappointed' so go out and play like you actually enjoy football, no cynacism , the game doesn't matter, total exhibition, no  'we simply must win', just go play and make it a spectacle instead, shackles off

[dafuge]

1 hour ago, Razzler said:

It's the only competition that does it (?)

The Olympics still has it, although it would be a bit weird if there were no bronze medals.

[PMLF]

On 20/05/2018 at 04:01, Razzler said:

It's the only competition that does it (?) and I get 'they're all so disappointed' so go out and play like you actually enjoy football, no cynacism , the game doesn't matter, total exhibition, no  'we simply must win', just go play and make it a spectacle instead, shackles off

 

On 20/05/2018 at 05:25, dafuge said:

The Olympics still has it, although it would be a bit weird if there were no bronze medals.

Copa América has a third place playoff too and so does the African Cup of Nations.

[Coulthard's Jaw]

If you don't like it don't watch it.

[noikeee]

It's a slightly weird game but usually fun with lots of good goals. I say keep it.

[PMLF]

2 hours ago, noikeee said:

It's a slightly weird game but usually fun with lots of good goals. I say keep it.

This 1996 Olympic third place playoff between Brazil and Portugal is a good example of a nice third place playoff full of goals: 

 

[noikeee]

36 minutes ago, PMLF said:

This 1996 Olympic third place playoff between Brazil and Portugal is a good example of a nice third place playoff full of goals: 

 

Feeling funny today are we 

[given1legend]

It gives us something to watch between the semis and final. Normally produces an entertaining game.

[noikeee]

Actually now that I'm watching that vid I'm staggered Brazil put that good a team into the Olympics. Ronaldo, Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, ****ing hell.  I certainly didn't remember that Olympics side had such crazy good talent.

[adhikapp]

Pros for a 3rd place playoff usually benefits the fans more. From my POV, I wouldn't complain to watch another game. And that game would involve 2 good teams - because 9 times out of 10, a team that reaches a World Cup semifinal is a pretty good team.

Cons are for the players involved. Sure, another medal, but it's not the one you came for. It just reminds you of how close it was to getting into the final and you're here playing a match against another team similar in your position. They're probably fatigued after playing the whole month anyways.

[git2thachoppa]

Just now, adhikapp said:

Cons are for the players involved. Sure, another medal, but it's not the one you came for. It just reminds you of how close it was to getting into the final and you're here playing a match against another team similar in your position. They're probably fatigued after playing the whole month anyways.

I don't know if it's actually happened, but I always figured the 3rd place playoff was good for players who didn't get much of a chance in the rest of the tournament, especially when you have two #1 goalkeepers like Germany did.

[PMLF]

1 hour ago, noikeee said:

Actually now that I'm watching that vid I'm staggered Brazil put that good a team into the Olympics. Ronaldo, Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, ****ing hell.  I certainly didn't remember that Olympics side had such crazy good talent.

Only the World Cup matters more to us than the Olympics, so we always have good teams.

[danmcconnell1]

It's an extra match which annoys the missus so yes . I don't think any drawback can outweigh this.

[Nordan]

Totally!

Doesn't bother me either way tbh, a nice relaxed aperitif to the finale.

[HopOnBaby]

As it is, it feels a bit odd - maybe if it's moved to a 3pm kick off on the day of the final at 7.45pm, it could give you a final, single-day overdose of football before the long month before domestic football restarts.

[Razzler]

Nah, no way they take away from the day of the World Cup, there's no game within 3 days of a World Cup, there's a lot going on

[Marc Albrighton]

Its pointless but also pretty harmless really, its not really a big deal to me its usually just like a little friendly before the actual final. If it were my team involved after a devastating semi loss though i'm not so sure id be saying the same.

[Razzler]

If teams have an issue that completely rotate the team and let a back up XI play and get a chance at the World Cup

[noikeee]

5 hours ago, Marc Albrighton said:

Its pointless but also pretty harmless really, its not really a big deal to me its usually just like a little friendly before the actual final. If it were my team involved after a devastating semi loss though i'm not so sure id be saying the same.

We've been there and we got smashed by Germany there. It's fine.

[Nordan]

Harmless.

[Mr Wallin]

On 18/05/2018 at 18:01, GunmaN1905 said:

I'm Croatian and the '98 success is pretty much a myth now. If it was just the semis instead of a medal, it wouldn't be seen as nearly as much of a success.

I'm Swedish and the 3rd place in the 94 WC was huge at the time and has taken on fairly epic proportions in the years since.  

 

 

On 18/05/2018 at 18:00, grff said:

Lee Dixon has previously spoke about how nobody in the England squad wanted to play in the 1990 play-off.

Easy thing to say after you you've lost the match. I'd be surprised if both the team and England fans in general had been a lot more positive towards the 3rd place match if they had won it that time.

[Rob1981]

Nah, even in 1990 it was a glorified friendly. We played Tony Dorigo ffs instead of Stuart Pearce.