"Thanks for being our guest"

Germany 3 - Portugal 1

The hand-written banner in the crowd today read "thanks for being our guest." Outside the hotel for Team Germany a similiar banner hung in the wind with the words "Thanks for four great weeks guys."

For the Germans, the 2006 World Cup was everything that a host country could ever hope for. Sure a trip to the World Cup final and a chance to hoist the iconic trophy would have bee nice, but remember something here, Germany was expected to barely exit the first round when they begun play almost a month ago. If you had told many Germans that the National Team would secure third place honors at the end of the tournament, many would have called you crazy.

But despite limited support and confidence, Team Germany stepped up to the plate and delievered for the home team. After blazing through the round robin against stiff competition, the Germans pushed ahead with the kind of storm surge that seemed to suggest they could never be stopped. Only with two flash lightning, late game goals were the Italians able to overcome Deutschland. Had it not been for those pivotal goals, when the German defense was tired and ready for PKs, the Germans would surely have been on to the Final.

Kahn Today's third place game featured veteran keeper and National Team captain Oliver Kahn. Kahn is well-known for his Type-A personality and his strong presence on the field. At the beginning of the tournament, it was decided that Kahn would sit as second keeper to Arsenal goalie Jens Lehmann. The decision was one of the matters that German manager Klinsmann took a lot of heat for.

Despite Kahn's absence throughout the tournament, the Germans played well both offensively and defensively. In fact, the move to play Kahn toady probably represents a deep respect of the coach for his star, back-up keeper whose positive attitude has allowed the Germans to play as a team rather than bicker about playing time. At 37, the 2006 World Cup will surely be Kahn's last, and today's beautiful win over Portugal to secure Third place honors at home is an ideal way for any keeper to finish his career between the posts.

Schweinsteiger Brian Schweinsteiger gave the Germans all three of their goasl today with blazingly precise balls all from outside the 18. His first goal, in the 56th minute, sliced right throuhg the Portuguese defense and found talented keeper Ricardo a second behind the ball as it crisply floated into the upper netting.

A few minutes later, on a free kick opportunity, Schweinsteiger powered a free kick into the mob of defenders and German attackmen setting up a deflection into the Portuguese net. Portuguese defender Petit claimed responsibility for the deflection, which baffled GK Ricardo and allowed the Germans to go up 2-0.

In the 78th minute, Brian Schweinsteiger claimed a psuedo-hat-trick with another long, hard ball that rose just over Ricardo and dropped into the goal. The third goal all but solidified the German victory, and Schweinsteiger promptly ripped off his shirt for the glory of the 52,000 people in attendance, and the German supporters around the world.

Portugal's Nuno Gomes salvaged Lisbon's pride, and scored in the 88th minute just before time was called.