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Fond farewells for greats Figo, Kahn in consolation match

German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn gestures during a press conference AT the ICC center in Berlin, 28 June 2006. Germany will play against Argentina 30 June in Berlin in a quarter-final match of the 2006 Football World Cup. German Chancellor Angela Merkel heaped praise on national football coach Jurgen Klinsmann in an interview published on Wednesday and predicted Germany would reach the World Cup semi-finals. AFP PHOTO / Oliver LANG

Germany and Portugal have to try and put aside their disappointment of failing to reach the World Cup final when they meet in the third-place play-off match here on Saturday.

The game is undoubtedly an anti-climax for the losing semi-finalists but it has added spice with Portugal's Luis Figo and Germany's Oliver Kahn set to bring the curtain down on their glittering careers.

Portugal winger Figo retired after Euro 2004 but came back for one last crack at a major title only to fall to France 1-0 in the semi-final.

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane (R) comforts Portuguese forward Luis Figo at the end of the World Cup semi final football match Portugal vs France, 05 July 2006 at Munich's World Cup stadium. France won 1 to 0 and will face Italy for the final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT

On Saturday the 33-year-old Figo will win his 127th and final cap and he wants to sign off with a win.

"We want to finish off with a win over Germany," said Inter Milan star Figo. "It was disappointing to lose the semi-final but we have to try and win this game for the fans."

Germany goalkeeper Kahn, capped 85 times, will also want to go out on a high after playing second fiddle to Jens Lehmann for the finals.

Jurgen Klinsmann confirmed the 37-year-old Kahn would start against Portugal on Saturday in recognition of his service to the national team.

"I can confirm that Oliver Kahn will be in goal. He has played a big role in this team behind the scenes and deserves this match," Klinsmann said.

Hosts Germany, still coming to terms with the 2-0 extra-time defeat to Italy in the last four, will be psyched up to give Kahn a winning send-off and the fans a final win to savour.

Germany's head coach Juergen Klinsmann shouts as his team plays against Costa Rica during the opening match of the 2006 FIFA Football World Cup at Munich's World Cup Stadium, 09 June 2006. The month-long football extravaganza involving the world's top 32 teams begins in Munich and finishes with the final in Berlin 09 July. AFP PHOTO DDP/MARCUS BRANDT

"We want to give a good performance on Saturday to give the supporters something to cheer about it," Klinsmann declared.

"We wanted to be in Berlin for the big final but we have to settle for this mini final in Stuttgart.

The match is a homecoming for Klinsmann who was born close to Stuttgart and began his illustrious career with VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

This could also be Klinsmann's final game as coach of the national team after two years at the helm.

The 41-year-old has yet to decide on whether to stay on as Germany coach, saying he needs time to discuss the situation with his family that are based in the United States.

Portugal will be boosted by the news that Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the match with a knee injury that has stopped him from training.

Germany striker Miroslav Klose is also struggling with a calf injury but is desperate to play as he bids to secure the golden boot.

"I still have pain in my calf. I want to play but if it is not 100 percent I won't risk it," Klose declared.

"Finishing top-scorer at the World Cup would be a great honour and it would be fantastic if one title stayed in Germany after these finals."

The 28-year-old Werder Bremen forward, the top scorer in the German domestic league last season, is currently the leading marksman at the finals with five.

French striker Thierry Henry is his closest rival with three goals and has Sunday's final against Italy to swell that tally.

But whatever is at stake on Saturday, Germany and Portugal will cast envious eyes on the Berlin final wondering what might have been.