Euro 2008 - Arda winner knocks Swiss out

Eurosport - Thu, 12 Jun 14:35:00 2008

Arda Turan's injury-time strike gave Turkey a dramatic 2-1 victory against Switzerland in Basel, and resigned the co-hosts to certain exit from Euro 2008.

FOOTBALL 2008 Euro 2008 Switzerland Switzerland-Turkey - 0

In an enthralling encounter played out on a saturated pitch, Switzerland went ahead through Hakan Yakin, before Semih Senturk brought the sides level on 57 minutes.

Arda's late goal means Turkey will face Czech Republic on June 15, to decide which nation secures the second qualifying spot from Group A. Portugal are assured of progressing as group winners.

Turkey started brightly, and began passing the ball fluently in midfield, but the deluge duly arrived and with it went the opportunity to patiently construct attacks and dominate possession.

The rain was fierce and plentiful, and took scant time in altering the playing conditions irreparably. Players struggled to maintain their footing and the ball was frequently brought to an abrupt halt by lying water - with Switzerland's goal the defining example.

The Swiss coped far better on the soaked surface during the first half, driving forward with purpose and releasing Tranquillo Barnetta and Valon Behrami on the flanks to surge forward.

Turkey almost went ahead against the run of play on 29 minutes, however, when Diego Benaglio failed to deal with Nihat's right-wing cross. His weak punch struck Arda on the back of the head and flew against the post.

Seconds later, Switzerland had the lead their dominance deserved. 19-year-old Eren Derdiyok was played through and he showed fine composure to square for Yakin two yards out. The ball stuck comically in a puddle, but Yakin had plenty of time to sweep home and put his side ahead.

Soon after, the Swiss should have doubled their lead. This time Behrami played provider, but Yakin somehow missed with the goal gaping from five yards.

With the second half came a more direct approach from Turkey, who finally began to adapt to the adverse conditions. Tuncay and Nihat began to impose themselves and the Turks drew level just shy of the hour mark.

Nihat was the architect, whipping in a left-wing cross which substitute Semih headed home from 10 yards. In truth, Benaglio should have stopped it, but the Swiss keeper palmed the ball up into the net instead of away to safety.

Meanwhile, tackles were flying in on the treacherous turf and four yellow cards were distributed in recognition - Hakan Balta, Aurelio and Tuncay for Turkey, and Derdiyok for Switzerland - though his came as a result of kicking the ball away. The game threatened to boil over.

With stakes high, the two teams searched in vain for the goal which would breathe life into their campaign, but it appeared both would have to make do with a point.

But with two minutes of injury time on the clock, Arda cut in from the left and sent a deflected shot past Benaglio to send the travelling Turkish fans into wild celebration and confirm Switzerland as the first side out of Euro 2008, just five days into the tournament.

Will Tidey / Eurosport

Comment 26 - 45 of 45

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  1. I actually feel bad for the Swiss... If Portugal doesn't take a nap on the last match, they are going to end up with 0 points. Rather embarassing for one of the hosts :|

    From beyondvision8, on Thu 12 Jun 6:01PM

  2. Fatih Terim is a jackass for not letting Arda play in the first game. The guy who saved his ass the last minute, and he didnt let him play in the first game what a shame. I hope he lets him play the game after because that kid has got some talent and the jackass tuncay should be replaced.

    From Omer D, on Thu 12 Jun 4:37PM

  3. Refik, on a free kick one of the defender on the very spot of penaltypoint hold complitely the Swiss attaqunt at the belt and through him on the floor everybody beleived in a penalty, the referee wistled somthing else, but the gesture was a fault deserving penalty as per the rules, unfortunately the rules of football are not enforced by Referee, result is that too many game are won or lost due to cheatering or unsanctioned fault. Referee are out dated, even if you put 4 Referees on the fields they will still be cheated, only the Video will clean the sport and then there will be no discussion. That's said the Swiss should have scored their opportunities therefore at the end...

    From didsop, on Thu 12 Jun 4:02PM

  4. Turkey good luck next match !
    Czechs ain't gonna be easy.

    cheers/syde

    From abidsyed, on Thu 12 Jun 11:11AM

  5. To didsop
    I feel really sorry for you, but I imagine you were watching a different game as no one remembers a penalty position...!!!!
    But never mind you go and play in Asia championships....

    From Refik Evliyaoglu, on Thu 12 Jun 11:05AM

  6. Yep the Turks went through but we did not made them waiting at the Airport did not sent some people in their hotels with claxon to make them sleep less, without talking again of all the rest.
    During the game we did not had luck and referee did not grant a deseved penalty plus all these usual little antigame fault. Bref the poorest team won the flamboyant lost as often in this Money minded sport. Swiss is too small for referee to bother, if we were a bigger nation we would have had the deserved penalty in both matches.

    From didsop, on Thu 12 Jun 10:50AM

  7. penalty shoot-out will decide who will go to the next round
    but i think it wont be needed couse TÜRKİYE will beat czechs

    From mert U, on Thu 12 Jun 10:42AM

  8. if Turkey and Czech Repuclic will have a draw, what will happen? Because everything points, averages etc. will be same..

    From ausonm, on Thu 12 Jun 10:31AM

  9. I would like Czech republic to beat Turkey,and to pass to play off together with my favourite Potugal!!!!!!!
    :D:D:D

    From marysport1, on Thu 12 Jun 9:55AM

  10. So unlucky not to win both games. Euro 2008 isn't gonna be the same without them but with a young and very talented team, they'll qualify for the World Cup for sure. HOPP SCHWIIZ

    From dr_uldenia, on Thu 12 Jun 9:48AM

  11. Well Done TURKIYE ! Good Luck on Sunday ! Terim does not know what he is doing, he is stubborn, and he thinks what he does is best, but his days are past --- thanks to the scorers and VOLKAN, TURKIYE RAINED ON SWISS EURO 2008 PARADE !! :-)

    Wonder whether Semih and Arda will be in the team against the Chechs..Terim may punish them for scoring !!!

    Zehra from Istanbul

    From serinmood, on Thu 12 Jun 9:19AM

  12. we turks like to win vs swiss :)
    our players in swiss were perfect as yakin, eren, inler ...
    and
    where we go one, we go all !!!

    From vbykn, on Thu 12 Jun 6:48AM

  13. that was a fantastic game by turkish player and they get the revange of 2005 from them by sending them out of euro, haydi turkiye sana inaniyoruz, yolun acik olsun,bakhair chek ra ham mizanim.lalalalalalal turkiye llalalalalalal.......

    From eshaq_yarash, on Thu 12 Jun 5:29AM

  14. that was a fantastic game by turkish player and they get the revange of 2005 from them by sending them out of euro, haydi turkiye sana inaniyoruz, yolun acik olsun,bakhair chek ra ham mizanim.lalalalalalal turkiye llalalalalalal.......

    From eshaq_yarash, on Thu 12 Jun 5:28AM

  15. @#$% it.
    switzerland were so unlucky,they really played very good in the two matches,and their opponents were just lucky.
    @#$% czech and turkey

    From dxpowerdavid212, on Thu 12 Jun 4:25AM

  16. NOW THE GAME IS ON FOR TURKEY!BETTER SELECTED PLAYERS WERE ON THE PITCH,BETTER THAN PORTUGAL GAME,GREAT COME BACK AND A GREAT FIGHTING SPIRIT!!
    SAVSATLI,YOUR COMMENTS ARE DISGRACEFUL!!YOU SHOULD BE MORE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS!!DONT EMBARRESS TURKISH PEOPLE WITH COMMENTS LIKE THAT, BE CIVILIZED!!!

    From tansu o, on Wed 11 Jun 11:27PM

  17. NOW THE GAME IS ON FOR TURKEY!BETTER SELECTED PLAYERS WERE ON THE PITCH,BETTER THAN PORTUGAL GAME,GREAT COME BACK AND A GREAT FIGHTING SPIRIT!!
    SAVSATLI,YOUR COMMENTS ARE DISGRACEFUL!!YOU SHOULD BE MORE RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS!!DONT EMBARRESS TURKISH PEOPLE WITH COMMENTS LIKE THAT, BE CIVILIZED!!!

    From tansu o, on Wed 11 Jun 11:26PM

  18. turkey was just luckly,play with Czech Republic should shaw turkey football!!

    From wrya a, on Wed 11 Jun 11:25PM

  19. we played good than switzerland .Everybody have seen that and time is to win again vs czech republic.They have physical advantages than us but if we start with mehmet topal and mehmet aurelio we ll be in quarter final.See you germany in quarter final =)

    From adrosus, on Wed 11 Jun 11:21PM

  20. that was a great glory for Turkey.there was two squad of turkey once before and fter the rain...i hope we will qualify to quarter finals....

    From Mıstık 2005432043, on Wed 11 Jun 11:13PM
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