2006 FIFA World Cup Coverage

Third-place game to stay, FIFA says

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 6, 2006

BERLIN - The third-place game will remain a World Cup fixture because, 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 said Wednesday, the morning after Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in a semifinal.

The usual criticism of the third-place game is teams are deflated after losing semifinals and rarely perform their best.

"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 financial incentive. The third- and fourth-place teams receive $17.5-million, according to FIFA. The champion receives $19.9-million and the runnerup $18.25-million.

Germans hope coach stays

BERLIN - Germany's young team has a bright future despite Tuesday's loss. The task now is to persuade coach Juergen Klinsmann to stay.

Klinsmann has asked for time before giving a final answer and is unlikely to decide in the next few days.

His contract ends after the World Cup, and he said he wants to consult his family before deciding. Klinsmann has resisted calls to move back to Germany from his adopted home in California.

"I need time to let this sink in," he said after Tuesday's loss. "I was only thinking so far as the final, not beyond it. I've asked the federation to give me time."

FAN KILLED: Tens of thousands of French fans poured onto the Champs Elysees in Paris after the victory. One was killed in a subway accident, disrupting traffic while the metro system was packed with people. The unidentified victim climbed atop a train at a station and fell. Police said other details remain unclear.

About were 20 were injured in clashes in Lyon, where cars were vandalized. At the Charlety stadium in southern Paris, where the game was shown on a huge screen, one person was hospitalized because of a melee, police said.

MEXICO: Ricardo Lavolpe is not likely to return as coach when his contract expires after the World Cup, federation president Alberto de la Torre said. Mexico lost to Argentina 2-1 in overtime in the second round. A timetable for a final decision is unknown.

NETHERLANDS: Midfielder Edgar Davids criticized coach Marco van Basten for a lack of insight and tactlessness in dropping him from the squad. Davids added Van Basten is responsible for the early exit.

"Van Basten's selection choices seem to be largely based on romance and idealism," Davids said in an open letter published Wednesday by Voetbal International magazine. "The shortcomings of the Netherlands' team . . . were apparently a big surprise for the coach. But they were predictable."

Van Basten's young team lost 1-0 to Portugal in the second round.

Davids' outburst came a week after Van Basten told reporters the 33-year-old star's international career was "history."

"Davids was in poor form last season," said Van Basten, whose contract runs through 2008 but is expected to be extended through the 2010 World Cup.

Davids called the remark a "cheap shot."

"I waited consciously a little while before responding in hope of an explanatory phone call from Van Basten," Davis wrote. "But I haven't heard anything."

The country's federation declined to comment.

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 06:09:23]