Euro 2008 - Germany v Turkey: Route to the semis

Eurosport - Tue, 24 Jun 16:14:00 2008

With the first Euro 2008 semi-final on the horizon, we take a look at how Germany and Turkey booked their places there.

FOOTBALL Euro 2008 - Semih, Turkey, after win against Croatia - 0

GERMANY

Group B

Germany 2 Poland 0

Germany produce a slick opening Group B performance with two goals from Polish-born striker turned midfielder Lukas Podolski clinching a first win at a European Championship finals in 12 years.

Croatia 2 Germany 1

Croatia upset the group favourites with a well-deserved 2-1 victory in Klagenfurt. Podolski scores his third of the tournament late on in an erratic display from the Germans. Substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger became the first player to be sent off in the tournament for pushing Jerko Leko in stoppage time.

Austria 0 Germany 1

A stunning free-kick from captain Michael Ballack at the start of the second half puts Germany through to the quarter-finals despite having coach Joachim Loew sent-off shortly before halftime.

Quarter-final

Portugal 2 Germany 3

Bastian Schweinsteiger returns from suspension to inspire a much-improved German performance led by assistant coach Hansi Flick following Joachim Loew's one-match touchline ban. The midfielder scores the first after a cross from the left by Lukas Podolski and his two free-kicks set up goals for Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack to seal a semi-final berth.

TURKEY

Group A

Portugal 2 Turkey 0

Turkey slump to an opening day defeat, unable to contain the attacking flair of the Portuguese. Goals from defender Pepe and a late breakaway goal from substitute Raul Meireles leave Turkey struggling to qualify for the knockout stages.

Switzerland 1 Turkey 2

Arda Turan's late strike sent co-hosts Switzerland out of the tournament after a downpour made conditions almost unplayable in Basel. Swiss striker Hakan Yakin gave the hosts the lead in the first half but Turkey became the first side to overturn a deficit at the finals. A powerful header from Semih Senturk in the 57th minute and Arda's late strike secured a 2-1 win.

Turkey 3 Czech Republic 2

Turkey set the tournament alight with a dramatic comeback after trailing by two goals entering the last 15 minutes. Arda Turan pulled one back before Czech keeper Petr Cech dropped a cross with three minutes remaining to allow Turkey captain Nihat Kahveci to equalise. Two minutes later the striker took advantage of some slack defending to fire a right foot shot past Cech to complete the turnaround. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was sent off in stoppage time after an altercation with striker Jan Koller.

Quarter-final

Croatia 1 Turkey 1 aet Turkey win 3-1 on penalties

Turkey again look to be going out of the tournament after substitute Ivan Klasnic scores in the 119th minute. However Turkey stage another dramatic recovery with a delflected shot from Semih Senturk (pictured), the last kick of the game, ending up in the back of the net to force a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Rustu Recber saves from Mladen Petric as Turkey win 3-1 to advance to a first European Championship semi-final.

Reuters

Comment 21 - 40 of 40

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  1. Turkey will win, and Islam shall march on victorious throughout Europe! German swine-eaters, brethren of swine, your time has come - your time of reckoning before Allah.

    ALLAH-AKBAR AL-TURKIYE AL-JIHAD

    From Voortrekker, on Wed 25 Jun 7:10PM

  2. I agre with you George T and for the others (that most of them are from turkey and are spamming the site) don't think that the world wants turkey to win . I DON"T WANT THEM TO WIN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PLAY FOOTBAL ;)

    From dobromir_kantev, on Wed 25 Jun 6:20PM

  3. I know everybody and particularly the muslims want turkey to win.........but sorry to say, it's not gonna happen, this is about football and turkey has been so but so lucky so far that it could be so unfair that such a mediocre team goes to the final for example.....MY PREDICTION IS: THE BETTER FOOTBALL TEAM WILL WIN!!!

    YOU GUESS WEEL !!!GERMANY!!!

    From George T, on Wed 25 Jun 5:13PM

  4. i hope turkey will win today end i will be happy mans in wold am turkish i really want turkey win good luck turkey camonnnnnnnnnn

    From kkimsesiz, on Wed 25 Jun 4:27PM

  5. I think most of europians wants TURKEY to win.Like England,Holland,Spain, Italy, France, Portuguese, Croatia, Swiss,Russia, Czech Rep., Greece, also Israel and all the Turkish Nations of course (like,Albania,Azerbaijan, Bosnia&Herzagovina, Turkish Republic of Cyprus,Kyrgyzstan,Kosovo, Turkmenistan,Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,Abkhazia,Uzbekistan, Nakhchivan...)Also all the Muslim countries (like Mauritania,Maldives,Western Sahara,Somalia,Iran,Algeria,Afghanistan,Yemen,Tunisia,Oman,Com oros,Djibouti,Morocco,Iraq,Libya,Pakistan,Saudi Arabia,Tajikistan,Jordan,Qatar,Senegal,Azerbaijan,Egypt,Mali,N iger,Gambia, Indonesia,Bangladesh,Syria,Guinea,Kuwait,Bahrain,Palestine,Uni ted Arab Emirates,Lebanon,Albania,Brunei,Sudan,Malaysia,Sierra Leone,Burkina Faso,Chad,Nigeria,Eritrea,Ethiopia...) and United States of America(interesting, isn't it?)...Good luck germ ans...if you have any:-))Turks will win with their subs. goal keeper Tolga will play in the forvet for the first time in Finals history...Be sure the God is watching us too...

    From turrco f, on Wed 25 Jun 3:44PM

  6. I am a Turk, and I am feeling very proud about what our team has achieved so far. I hope they will keep up the good work today too (so, git-r-done boyz!). Yet, everybody please remember, this is just a game of football. Let's keep it that way. Let the best team win, let peace and friendship win!

    From Sinan AKILLI, on Wed 25 Jun 2:42PM

  7. We are the ottoman .We are the turk. What is the fear , we don't know .Only afraid of ALLAHTAN,

    From oyeyin, on Wed 25 Jun 1:52PM

  8. Ello everyone,
    Eventhough I'm not a Turkish but I'm supporting the Turkiye team...Despite many of the team players suffered injuries & suspended term, however if the Turkish players maintain the dedication, stamina, strive & keep trying to create the unexpected things and tawakkal 'alallah...God Bless, they can make it again this time round to win over the Germany...Hidup Turkiye !!! Hidup Turkiye !!! Hidup Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!!

    From MOHD R T, on Wed 25 Jun 12:52AM

  9. Ello semua,
    Walopun aku bukan rakyat Turkiye tapi aku sokong pasokan Turkiye...walaupun banyak pemain mengalami luka-luka, tapi pemain2 yang tinggal kalau boleh kekalkan semangat, kesungguhan, stamina dan expect the unexpected things dan tawakkal 'alallah...they can make it again this time round to win over the Germany...Hidup Turkiye !!! Hidup Turkiye !!! Hidup Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!! Viva La Turkiye !!!

    From MOHD R T, on Wed 25 Jun 12:41AM

  10. I cant understand why everyone against Turks. They've been playing with their hearts and deserve to be in semi-finals. Instead of celebrating and those people, why all these bias. Is it a new crusade against Turks, This is only a soccer.

    From mtemiz1982, on Tue 24 Jun 7:01PM

  11. turkish players are good in nation because at their clubs, they suck... they want revenge... but now they're running out of luck. germany will send them back to their clubs tomorrow... Why? Very simple: Turkey is human, and Germany the armored tank. Tank is great weapon. one tank is enough to destroy a lot of humans.

    From lucasp1589, on Tue 24 Jun 4:35PM

  12. Turk will stop here, as Germany will advance to the final game. Why? Ballack always finishes second place.

    From stanleysylui, on Tue 24 Jun 4:20PM

  13. If you fancy a Turkey v Russia final you should go to the bookies, you'll get 10-1

    From eoghan2good, on Tue 24 Jun 4:17PM

  14. I fancy a Turkey - Russia final.

    From Moussa, on Tue 24 Jun 3:39PM

  15. I can see Turkey winning Germiny, it will be a fight to finish but Germiny will have the day.

    Paul Obasi

    From emekaezeh, on Tue 24 Jun 3:38PM

  16. I can see Turkey winning Germiny, it will be a fight to finish but Germiny will have the day.

    Paul Obasi

    From emekaezeh, on Tue 24 Jun 3:36PM

  17. Yet again, if Ballack is in form, Germany will win. He is the only real master-craftsman of this tournament. And as this may his last big chance for a trophy, I think his motivation will not be a problem...

    From nasrin5, on Tue 24 Jun 3:32PM

  18. Well I hope all you Turk fans still come out after they lose so I can laugh at all of you for your comments and I hope you will admit defeat and you will be eating all your words. Face it Germany is TOO powerfull for the Turks and to deep in their line up to lose such a game I just hope the Turks can keep it close!

    From Dan h, on Tue 24 Jun 3:25PM

  19. Turks will play with Germans like they played with Stitzerland. No problem and Turks will win. But What I like to see is that are (Germans) they going to CRY LIke others?

    From fikretakinci, on Tue 24 Jun 3:11PM

  20. Turks can't be that lucky again

    From ratko.bozic, on Tue 24 Jun 3:06PM
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