FORMALITY BEFORE THE FINAL

Yet,they left Cape Town devastated after the 3-2 semifinal loss to the Netherlands,according to striker Diego Forlan. Pride at Uruguays best World Cup showing in 40 years the Celeste last made the semifinals in 1970 is mixed with desperate disappointment.

We were so close to a World Cup final and we have missed a great chance, Forlan said. Weve had a good tournament and its been a fine World Cup for us, said midfielder Egidio Arevalo,but were still gutted.

For Germany,its narrow 1-0 defeat by Spain was possibly even more painful considering its wondrous form leading up to the game and the fact that it has now lost in the semis in successive World Cups,as well as the final in 2002 and the final of the 2008 European Championships. With its youngest team in many years,three-time winner Germany swept aside England and Argentina in the 2010 knockout stages,scoring four goals against both teams as its scintillating form suggested it would win a first world title in 20 years.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger,arguably Germanys best player at the tournament,epitomised the despair after Germany was edged out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium when he sunk to his knees at the final whistle. Captain Philipp Lahm was in tears.

Its a shame,were sad,and were all disappointed, coach Joachim Loew said. Its not worked out the way we wanted it. I guess Ill never win the World Cup title, said veteran striker Miroslav Klose,who lost the 2002 final to Brazil and was on the losing side against Italy in the 2006 semifinals in Germany.

In probably his last World Cup,the 32-year-old Klose remains one goal shy of Brazilian striker Ronaldos 15-goal World Cup record. Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick said Thursday Klose has a back problem and could miss Saturdays match,despite him showing no signs of any injury immediately after the semifinal defeat.

Serious game

Lahm said the team still remembers the third-place match against Portugal in 2006 and the enthusiastic reception the fans gave the players after the 3-1 win.

We saw four years ago how great this game can be and we want to go home with a win and with a good feeling, Lahm said. Loew,whose own future as national coach is in doubt,will have his management skills challenged as he tries to pick up his players for one more game. He said Germany would take the game quite seriously, even if some changes in the lineup are expected.

Third place also means something, assistant coach Flick stressed. It would be important to win the small final. Like Klose,Uruguays best attacker could also be boosted in the playoff by a possible personal milestone.

Forlan,who scored Uruguays equaliser against the Dutch at Green Point Stadium,has four goals in the competition one short of leading scorers David Villa of Spain and the Netherlands Wesley Sneijder. Hes also an injury doubt. Forlan was replaced in the 84th minute during the semi with a right thigh strain.

He hopes to be fit for Saturday as he looks to finish with the victory that would better Uruguays fourth place finish in 1970,and give the country its best World Cup performance since its second title 60 years ago.

I want to play for that third place because even that would be great for everyone. Then I hope to have a big holiday because I am really tired, Forlan said.

Fellow striker Luis Suarez was even more adamant Uruguay wasnt finished. Now whats left is to play to the death for third place, Suarez said.