Turkey Football Blog

Turkish Delight

tadpole — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:30:35 +0000

Of all the teams Turkey used the most players that were forced upon, baring in mind the sides that decided to field second sides because they had already qualified had every choice, due to injuries and suspensions Turkey fielded everyone except their 3^rd choice keeper. The tournament didn’t see too many red cards, and only 1 goalkeeper saw red, which let in Recber for a swansong of a performance before announcing his retirement. We look at the impact the Turkish players made on the Euro’s as they certainly added some drama Turkish Stats8 Goals64 Shots

16 yellow cards

1 Red Card2246 passes 70% completed

Demirel – Had been playing relatively well, still conceded goals, but having seen his side snatch a place in the quarter finals against the Czechs and let himself down, may not get another opportunity of a Semi final and will still be paining him. 5
Cetin – Some very solid performances, in and out of the side though and failed to settle into rhythm 6
Balta – an ever present player and one that had an excellent tournament and will of enhanced his reputation, discipline let some of his team mates down, and he managed just the one yellow. 7
Zan – A Jekyll and Hyde performance, some shockers to start with, but the latter stages proved more of a platform for some solid defending. 6
Emre – Only managed one appearance due to injury, sorely missed at times, certainly one of their gifted players, failed to get the opportunity to show it. 6
Aurelio – Poor discipline cost him being an ever present picked up two sloppy bookings, although made it back for a sterling Semi Final performance. 7
Nihat – Succumbed to injury which ruled him out of the semi, will be remembered for his two goals late on against the Czech Republic, one of them an absolute belter. Showed why he is so highly thought of in Spain and scores so many goals. 8
Tuncay – Had to spectate in the semi final, do no harm to his reputation in the group games, but his quarter final performance and booking marked his card. 6
Kazim – Some sprightly performances, has come since leaving England and may well find himself as hot property after the tournament. Will be kicking himself for losing his footing and picking up an injury in the build up to Germany’s winner 7
Erdinc – Failed to set his stall out in his only start and withdrawn, would of hoped for better. 6
Altintop – Appeared in all games, would have liked a goal, comfortable on the ball and involved in a lot of set pieces. Certainly a star for Turkey. 8
Semih – An eventful tournament, two vitally important goals in the knockout stages, would of liked more time on the pitch, but made the most of his appearances and will also of enhanced his reputation domestically and internationally. 7
Asik – Another very comfortable on the ball, and worked his socks off for the nation, probably got more time on the pitch than he’d expected even though he also missed a game through suspension, alter on. 6
Sabri – Fantastic in the Semi, setting up the second goal, but his defending in previous games had been woeful. 7
Karadeniz – Some late appearances, little time to shine, but found himself on the pitch as he side netted vitally against Croatia 6
Metin – Another who may of not expected to even get on, but injuries and suspensions led to him starting one game and doing a workman like job 6
Turan – Along with Nihat and Semih, managed 2 goals, a vital cog to the Turkish team, unfortunately his yellow cards cost him as well, he will be thinking what could have been as opposed to reveling his 2 goals. 7
Gungor – A late rally of an appearance 6
Topal – Manager didn’t seem confident on letting him last 90 minutes, discipline let him down and also succumbed to suspension, but his time on the pitch was fruitful and will be pleased with his all round game 7
Recber – Probably expected to be a spectator, but Demirel’s madness and UEFA’s insistence on him serving a 2 game ban let him in. At fault for at least 2 goals he conceded but saved a vital pen against Croatia. Has now retired 7
Boral – Made 1 start and scored, so a good return, would of swapped it for a Semi Final win however 7
Akman – Made his first appearance in the Semi and would have every chance of keeping his place, part of an impressive performance. 7

GK set to take the field??

tadpole — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:27:15 +0000

Turkey Coach Fatih Terim faces the prospect of having to play third-choice keeper Tolgan Zengin on pitch during Wednesday’s Semi Final.

Fatih Terim has just 13 outfield players available for their Euro 2008, not to mention 1st choice keeper Volkan Demirel suspended.

Turkey are still waiting to hear whether keeper he will have his suspension, for his red card against teh Czech Republic overturned.

“He could come on towards the end as a sub as last man in defence or a centre forward,” he said.

Nihat injury adds to Turkey’s troubles

luckyliam10 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:13:23 +0000

Turkey will go into their semi final against Germany without their leading striker Nihat Kahveci. Kahveci picked up a thigh injury against Croatia in the quarter final and joins an ever expanding injury list.

Turkey will be missing a third of their squad for the semi final through injury or suspension this proves there current run of form really is incredible and they have excellent depth.

Injury List:
Emre Güngör: Calf (out for tournament)
Servet Çetin: Hip and knee (Out of Semi Final)
Tümer Metin: Groin (Out of Semi Final)
Emre Belözoğlu: Hamstring (Out of Semi Final)

Suspensions: Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı, Volkan Demirel and Arda Turan.

The Turks have one player returning to the squad, midfielder Mehmet Aurélio after recieving a ban in the group stage.

What is the secret of Turkey’s success?

luckyliam10 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:57:17 +0000

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić admitted there was “something special” about Fatih Terim’s side after their thrilling win at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Friday night. Turkey’s run to the semi-finals of EURO 2008 has been sensational but what is the secret of their success – and can they reproduce it against Germany in Basel next Wednesday?

When Portugal beat Turkey in their opening Group A game there was no indication of the incredible theatre that was to follow. First Terim’s side stunned co-hosts Switzerland in their own backyard, fighting back from a goal down to clinch victory in the last minute thanks to Arda Turan’s powerful strike. Even more drama came against the Czech Republic when the Crescent Stars (Ay Yıldızlılar) overturned a 2-0 deficit in the final 15 minutes to win 3-2 with two late Nihat Kahveci goals.

The best til last? Turkey forced a penalty shoot out after Croatia scored in the 119 minute. Semih Şentürk driving in via a deflection in the last second of extra time to force penalties.
Turkey won the shoot out 3-1 and now face Germany.

But Turkey have lots of players out for the Semi final: Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı, Volkan Demirel and Arda all suspended in addition to injuries to Emre Güngör, Servet Çetin, Emre Belözoğlu and Tümer Metin. Terim said in his post-match news conference there should be no limits to his team’s success but can they overcome Germany to reach the final? And what is the secret behind Turkey’s success?

Terim sets no limits on success

luckyliam10 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:53:11 +0000

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said after the quarter final there is “no limit to success” for his side after they defeated Croatia on penalties to earn a semi-final meeting with Germany. Turkey looked to be out of the tournament when Ivan Klasnić struck late in extra time, but Semih Şentürk had other ideas and netted with the last kick of the game to send the match to penalties. Turkey won the shoot out 3-1 and the Croatian coach’s comment somes up Turkey at the moment “Turkey have the ‘X factor’.”

Turkey coach after the match:

I would like to congratulate the Croatia players and coach. They played well but that’s football. You should never give up until the final whistle, that’s what makes football interesting. I congratulate my players, too. Both sides could have won. I think we should be proud and I still haven’t been able to do any damage assessment. Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan are all suspended [for Germany] because they were booked here, and we have injured players. We have worked very hard over the last two years and deserve to be in this semi-final. If Croatia had won, I would have said they deserved it too, but I’m delighted we did it. I tell my players never to give up. I set them goals and tell them not to be afraid of losing. I think this team could do even better. If only we could have the injured players back, but even without them, we are special. There is something special about this team.

I hope the people enjoy it and I ask them not to make our joy someone else’s tragedy. No win is worth someone’s life, so I ask the Turkish people to enjoy themselves, celebrate and have fun but not to hurt anyone when they do it. To lose a victory in such a short period of time is a serious mental blow for any team – I thought we would have a chance in the shoot-out because of that. If you look at our run, we have always come back and that’s not easy. Let’s hope against Germany we can take the lead. There is no limit to our success. After Croatia scored, I saw players lying on the pitch and I told Arda to get the ball out of the goal and start again. I wasn’t giving up. We could have lost but there were things we could do about it. I always say there is much more we can do as a country of 70 million people and there is more success we can achieve. We seem to come back from the dead. We always do the hard thing, not the easy thing, which shows how good my team are. When you have footballers like this, you just don’t lose.

Altıntop up for final challenge

luckyliam10 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:45:51 +0000

Hamit Altıntop is looking beyond the Semi Final with Germany and believes Turkey can go all the way and win EURO 2008. “If we believe in ourselves we can win the tournament,” - Turkey have believed in themselves the whole way to come from behind in 3 successive games it takes extreme belief so will they go all the way?

Altıntop covered a massive 14.21kms during the quarter final with Croatia the most of anyone on the pitch. He became the playmaker of the team after Mehmet Topal came off the ground and played extremely well in an unpreferred postion. Altintop also provided the sealer in the penalty shoot out netting the final goal in a 3-1 shoot out win this is what he had to say about it:

“We played well as a team and reaching the semi-final is the important thing. It’s vital to be cold-blooded in shoot-outs – you mustn’t show nerves in football. If we carry on this way, and believe in ourselves, we can win the tournament.”

Altintop believes they can beat Germany but preparation is the key:

It’s important that we rest first and then we can analyse Germany with our coach,” he said. “We can beat anybody if we prepare ourselves properly. All the team showed tonight that it’s important to believe in ourselves, in what’s right, and in what our coach tells us. If we continue like this we shouldn’t fear any team.”

Altintop was the man of the match and provided a key role in their win. Turkey on to the semi finals after having 7 first team regulars out that show depth. It will be a big showdown with the Germans and things could get firey.

Match Report: Turkey vs Switzerland

luckyliam10 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:31:13 +0000

Turkey and Switerland headed to St. Jakob-Park both needing a win to stay alive at EURO 2008. It was a match played out in the worst of conditions with rain heavily damaging the pitch with talks of the game even being called off luckly this didn’t occur.

The match started with Turkey attacking early but the conditions made their attacks difficult and not alot was being created. Turkey missed a chance in the 29th minute seconds later Switzerland had hit the lead. 19-year-old Eren Derdiyok was played through and he showed fine composure to square for Yakin two yards out. The ball stuck in a puddle for what seemed like years but finally reach Yakin who tapped it in for a 1-0 lead.

Turkey came out firing in the 2nd half and managed to equalise in the 58 minute of the head of Senturk. After this the intensity was raised both teams looking for the winner and recieving 4 yellow cards in the process (Hakan Balta, Aurelio and Tuncay for Turkey, and Derdiyok for Switzerland) the game was starting to get heated.

Both teams kept pressing and Arda popped up in the 90+2 to keep the Turkish hopes alive by netting the winner. Turkey have become widely known as the ‘Comeback Kings’ of EURO 2008 and will look to continue this in their semi final.

Turkeys Line Up:
D. Volkan
H. Balta
E. Asik
C. Servet
H. Altintop
A. Turan
T. Metin
M. Aurelio
G. Karadeniz
S. Tuncay
K. Nihat

Late-Scoring Turkey Win Shoot-out

zebra10 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:39:21 +0000

Turkey 0-0 Croatia (1-1 a.e, 3-1 pen.)

In a match where Croatia were touted as comfortable winners on paper but it was a totally different match on hand. Turkey and Croatia battled it out evenly in a 0-0 draw until 90 minutes. Turkey had Rustu Recber guarding their post after Volkan was suspended for two matches after his sending off against Czech Republic. Drama in the match was not to unfold until the 119 minute when substitute Ivan Klasnic headed home for Croatia. Then reigned some tension after Croatia coach Bilic signalled to the fourth official to make a substitution but it seems the fourth official was slightly late in signalling the decision to the ref, and Turkey took a free-kick with Semih Senturk pulling parity for the Turks! Bilic was not at all happy with the fourth official after the goal!

A thrilling penalty shoot-out for the Turks with Modric failing the first penalty everything seemed to fall in the right places for Turkey. Then came Rustu saving Croatia’s fourth penalty to make impossible for them to beat Turkey meaning that Croatia bowed out of Euro 2008. They beat Germany 2-1 but could not do the same against Turkey. Now Turkey face Germany in the Semi-Final and again Turkey will be total underdogs this time but everyone knows their potential ability and the Germans will sure guard their goal well especially in the dying minutes of the game!!!

The neutrals would definitely be happy by Turkey and many will be vying for Turkey against Germany having been entertained by Turkey in their last two matches.

LIVE: Two last-minute Goals and Penalties To Go

zebra10 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:19:19 +0000

What a match have we got on our hands!!! And Turkey have done it again!! A Comeback aganst Czech Republic in the dying moments of the match has been repeated here with Turkey restoring parity in the dying seconds of the match after having to undergo another 30 minutes of extra time.

Croatia were on the verge of nipping Turkey to the Semi-finals by Ivan Klasnic’s goal in last minute of extra time but Semih scored in the stoppage time of extra time to get Turkey back on the road to the semi-finals. Penalties to go now and we’ll keep you updated here.

Can Rustu save Turkey to get them into the semi-finals? He’ll surely keep Volkan off if he impresses in the penalties whch are to be taken in a couple of minutes. Coin Toss and Croatia will take the first penalty.

23.22 : Luka Modric against Rustu Recber……..The new Tottenham player receives the ball places it on the spot. He runs up and hits the sponsors!!!! Out it goes! Turkey with the possible advantage

23.24: Arda sends Turkey 1-0 ahead in the penalty shoot-out…

23.25 Srna makes it 1-1 …..Turkey still to take their second penalty

23.26 Semih vs Pletikosa…. Turkey resume their lead… 2-1 to Turkey…He saved Turkey in the last minute and did not fail in the penalties

23.27: Terim looks nervous.. who isn’t? Ratic vs Rustu…Croatia are very near to elimination..he misses and Turkey can make it 3-1 now!!!

23.28 Hamit Altintop with the chance to put Turkey in the Semis!!!! Its nearly over for the Croatians.. 3-1 forTurkey…Can Rustu blow Croatia out?

23.29 RUSTU SAVES and NO CHANCE FOR CROATIA!!!!!ITS OVER..Turkey win 3-1 .. Impeccable entertainment!! 10/10

Turkey, Croatia unable to score…Extra Time

zebra10 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:01:49 +0000

As we are currently in half-time extra time, Croatia and Turkey are still battling it out in a very entertaining 0-0 draw although we now need to see some goals or at least a thrilling penalty encounter. Croatia looked to be strong to take the lead in many moments of the match with Turkey just showing their threats on occasions. But into extra time t seems Turkey are putting their act together more and are pushing to take advantage. Great Match so far eventhough they spoiled my stake with the draw having put my money on the ‘mighty’ Croatians. I Really think that Turkey have got what it takes to beat the thus over praised Croatians for their win against Germany and Turkey’s spirit and determination will win them the match. Rustu has had an exceptional match so far replacing the suspended Volkan Demeriel!