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Indomitable Turkey believe in miracles
by Yakir Mizrahi from Vienna
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Turkey`s players celebrate after winning the
penalty shoot-out against Croatia (¿Getty Images)
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The people of Turkey are starting to believe in miracles.
Grouped alongside Portugal, one of the pre-tournament favourites, co-hosts
Switzerland and a cultured Czech Republic team, few would have tipped
Fatih Terim's side as one of the potential dark horses for the title.
Route to the last four
Three successive and increasingly remarkable comebacks later, however,
Turkey have made it to the final four, one match away from their first
major tournament final and all after losing their Group A opener against
Portugal 2-0. They then came from a goal down to defeat Switzerland -
Semih Senturk and Arda Turan providing the second-half strikes - and rescued
an even more desperate situation against the Czech Republic, winning 3-2
after being two goals behind with 15 minutes remaining, to qualify for
the quarter-finals. That match, against Croatia, was goalless until the
final regulation minute of extra time when Turkey fell behind. However,
they responded through Semih with the last kick of the game and won the
subsequent shoot-out 3-1. Yet with suspensions and injuries piling up,
their next mission, against a Germany team gaining some serious momentum,
could prove the toughest yet. Coach Terim must put his side's indomitable
spirit to the test once again. It certainly will not come easily, but,
then again, miracles rarely do.
Semi-final record
This is their first semi-final in this competition, though they did lose
to Brazil at the same stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Key moment
Semih's equaliser as a substitute against Switzerland - followed by Arda's
winner. The victory transformed Turkey's campaign and prefigured the even
more remarkable comebacks against the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Key player
Though he will not play again in the tournament due to a thigh injury,
it has to be striker Nihat Kahveci, who assumed the captaincy when Emre
Belozoglu succumbed to injury. Ploughing a lone furrow against Portugal
in the opening game, the Villarreal CF player experienced a frustrating
start to his UEFA EURO 2008T campaign, but his fortunes were to improve
dramatically. His decisive goals against the Czechs in the final group
game smoothed Turkey's route to the quarter-final and he worked tirelessly
for 117 minutes against Croatia to help his side progress before injury
struck.
Injuries and suspensions
Four players are banned: Volkan Demirel is serving the second game of
his two-match suspension while defender Emre As?k and midfielders Tuncay
Sanl? and Arda Turan will also miss the semi-final after bookings against
Croatia. Nihat has followed the stricken Emre Gungor in returning home
and their injury list also includes Servet Cetin (hip and knee), Tumer
Metin (groin) and Emre Belozoglu (hamstring). That trio could all miss
the semi.
Tactics
Having employed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mehmet Aurelio and Mehmet Topal
in holding midfield roles, Terim altered his system against the Czech
Republic and switched to a front two with Semih alongside Nihat. However,
his tinkering clearly never produced the desired effect as he switched
Semih with Sabri Sar?oglu, duly employed in right midfield, for the second
half, thus reverting to his original tactics. Mounting injuries and suspensions
have played their part in his plans, too. Ayhan Akman is the only outfield
player in the squad who has not been used at some stage. For the match
against Germany, Terim has only 12 definitely fit and available outfield
players and could start with Gokdeniz Karadeniz and Kaz?m Kaz?m in midfield.
Shoot-out record
The penalty shoot-out in the Croatia game was their first in a major tournament.
What the papers said
"Nothing is impossible. It only takes time." Coach Fatih Terim
transmits positive messages to his team.
"Now I can understand why they named us 'Crazy Turks'." Emre
As?k, referring to the best-selling book of the same name.
"For the neutrals, it will be a good game to watch." Kaz?m
Kaz?m's prediction for the quarter-final against Croatia proved true in
the end.
Headlines
"We're going to Vienna!" Hurriyet after the victory over the
Czechs sealed a quarter-final date with Croatia at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
"Thanks for your help, Cech." Aksam refers to the Czech Republic
goalkeeper's mistake for Turkey's equalising goal in the final group game.
"Who else has such great heart?" Milliyet praises Turkey's
refusal to give up hope against Croatia.
"Turks, you will never forget!" Sabah on the morning after
the last-eight triumph.
Euro2008.com,
24 June 2008
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