In a very close game tonight in Basle, Switzerland, that had the TV feed interrupted by lightning a couple of times, the miracles that Turkey were able to weave in the tournament finally ran out.
Klose heads home Germany’s second goal to put them 2-1 up
But it was right at the end of the game, when Philipp Llam scored Germany’s winner in the 90th minute, to win the game 3-2, and take Germany through to the final on Sunday.
With Turkey missing 8 of their first team through either injury or suspensions, everybody had expected Germany to easily win this semi-final but nobody counted on the spirit and passion again shown by Turkey tonight.
Rather than going on the defensive as most teams would have done, certainly England would have done under McClaren, Turkey surprised everybody by immediately taking it to the Germans.
After 13 minutes Kazin had a half chance and almost broke the German crossbar, and it was no surprise when Turkey went ahead after just 22 minutes, when Kazin again hit the cross-bar and Ugur Boral, who played out of his skin tonight, mis-hit the ball past Jens Lehman.
Ball goes under Lehman for Turkey’s first goal from Boral
The former Arsenal goalkeeper should really have saved it, but the very fact the ball was mishit, sent it past the German goalkeeper.
So Turkey were ahead for the first time ever in the tournament in the first half, and they weren’t sure what to do.
They usually go ahead with a minutes or less to go but now they had 68 minutes left in the game. 
But after just 5 minutes Germany were level with a great goal by Schweinsteiger, who had replaced the disappointing Mario Gomez earlier in the tournament.
He was brilliantly set up by Podolski, via a fast beak that exposed the Turkey defense on the left hand side.
Germany were outplayed in the first half but in the second half started to come more into the game.
With just 11 minutes to go, a simple cross into the box was badly misjudged by Turkish goalkeeper Rustu and Klose, who like many of the German stars tonight looked out of sorts, headed Germany into the lead.
Had Turkey any miracles left?
With just 4 minutes to go the unbelievable happened again, when Turkey drew level and left-back Lahm was badly at fault for the Germans.
Semih scores Turkey’s second goal as he flicked the ball past Lehman
Brilliant play down the right by Sabri, got him past the bewildered Lahm, not for the first time in the game, and his low cross was deftly turned home by Semih, to send the Turks everywhere absolutely wild.
The two goalkeepers didn’t have a lot to do during the game, but both were responsible for conceding poor goals.
Rustu was badly at fault for Germany’s second goal by badly misjudging an easy cross into the box, and Lehman was at fault for Turkey’s first goal, as he let the ball slide underneath him and across the line.
But you’ve got it to hand it to the Turks tonight, many of whom were reserves playing for the first time in the tournament, that they had stretched the Germans to the limits and with just 4 minutes to go were again all square. Would this be another extra time game?
Lahm smashed home Germany’s winner on 90 minutes
But then on 90 minutes, a beautiful ball by Frings played in Lahm, who had a poor game at left full back, but nevertheless brilliantly smashed the ball past Rustu, giving the Turkish captain no chance at all.
There was another break in the TV feed, but Germany played out the final 3 minutes of injury time and are now through to the final on Sunday.
This was another fabulous game to watch, and Turkey are one of the real star teams of the tournament.
When you play with the passion the Turks have done in this tournament, anything is possible, and that’s what they proved again and again.
And they deserve all the credit imaginable, for their wonderful displays of football and passion in these last two weeks.
Turkey’s great coach Fatih Terim can hold his head up high, as he never failed to spur on the Turks to attack, even when their team was so depleted.
In fact he reminded us of the way another certain manager, Kevin Keegan, prepares his players and team – to go out and attack the opposition – and always be positive and move forward.
There’s news that Fatih would like to manage in the Premier league next season, and it would be great to see this man on the touchline in PL games, with all his passion on display.
In the US Andy Gray was one of the TV commentators and said more than once “I love this man”, during the game. Andy’s quite passionate about football too.
When you have the passion shown by the Turks and by Fatih, it’s hard not to love them.
But after all the excitement of yet another great game in Euro 2008, Germany are through to the finals, and will meet either Russia or Spain, who serve up the next treat tomorrow evening.
Teams:
Germany Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski, Klose. Subs: Enke, Adler, Jansen, Fritz, Westermann, Frings, Gomez, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor, Kuranyi.
Turkey Rustu, Sarioglu, Topal, Zan, Balta, Aurelio, Kazim-Richards, Altintop, Akman, Boral, Senturk. Subs: Zengin, Cetin, Emre, Karadeniz, Metin, Gungor, Erdinc, Nihat.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Comments welcome.
61 responses so far ↓
1 GSfan // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Thank you lads, I’m proud of you all!!!!!!!!
2 GSfan // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Except Rustu, please retire :p
3 mikeygd // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:31 PM
is rustu the keeper? he was awful
4 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:33 PM
What was Arda not playing for?
5 stk // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
if only emre was fit and could pull off that sort of performance for nufc
6 Callum // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Is there a 3rd/4th place playoff game?
7 Ed Harrison // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Arda had picked up 2 yellow cards and was suspended. Emre was injured during training after playing the first game and being handed the captain’s armband.
8 GSfan // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Ye Rustu’s the keeper. He almost managed to get us knocked out against Croatia but failed miserably. He pulled it off this time though!
Arda was suspended, as was Tuncay, Volkan, Emre Asik. As for the injured players: Nihat, Emre Belozoglu, Emre Gungor, Servet, and some other dude I can’t remember right now.
9 Soren // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
So sad Turkey didn’t go to the final, they really gave it all at this tournament, despite injuries and bans.
Türkiye!!! Türkiye!!! Türkiye!!!
10 mikeygd // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
the turks that were given a chance did themselves and there country proud, was a cracking match and im annoyed the germans beat em
11 ToonKing // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Rustu and Lehmann battle it out for the worst keeper ever, although Ricardo is still in the race too.
12 mikeygd // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:39 PM
he was definately at fault when he came out and missed and IMO even tho it was a great finish i reckon the keeper cud of put the full back off a bit more by staying big and coming right at him but if u look at the pic he fell to the floor and turned his head away scared of being hit lol
13 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Ed, i was hoping he was in Newcastle for his medical!
14 natedawg // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:40 PM
look like the germans have lady luck on there side this summer, tip them to win the tournament
15 Egar // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Turkey played well despite their injury/suspension. Credit to them.
Yeah, my money’s on Germany.
16 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Russia will beat Germany if Arshavin plays like he has done in this competition
17 natedawg // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:43 PM
turkey def team of the tournament easily, with russia second
18 Egar // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Pity we missed out on Andrei Arshavin.
19 Ed Harrison // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:45 PM
ronaldeano – that would be a great rumor to spread – I love the guy and he’s just 21
20 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:47 PM
@Ed, same here mate
Great site by the way
21 Egar // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Sorry but Juventus awaits.
22 Yahya Ahmad // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Turkey got robbed! But they also robbed others! lol
23 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I wouldent write Arda off just yet, Galatesaray need money, not Juve’s cast offs in exchange for one of their best players
24 Egar // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Hope you’re right on this one, Ronaldeano. MA got to WISE up quick.
25 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:56 PM
@Egar, MA needs to put his hand in his pocket and start tieing up deals for good players quickly mate
26 Tom_Toon // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Im more nterested about Rocky04 spreading this rumour that our first signing is Toulalan and that he heard it from a good source.
Normally dont believe these things, dont really believe this but hes one of my favourite players and one that we need, hes immense aswell. so i want to believe it.
We shall see in due course.
27 GSfan // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Wish you guys had sealed him before the Euros
I don’t wanna see him go to a rubbish league like Serie A. Heck their so called undefeated champions got crushed by even Fenerbahce last year (don’t mind the 1-0 score).
Apart from you guys I’d love to see him go to Villareal. But to see a possibility of him going to Serie A is a shame. Hope it’s newspaper rubbish! The Euros are almost over now so we’ll see soon enough which rumours are for real.
28 ronaldeano // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:59 PM
TT, how old is Toulalan?
29 Tom_Toon // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:01 PM
23 or 24.
30 toon4life // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:03 PM
unlucky turkey..
dirty germans lucky again.
just wish england played with as much passion as the turks have in this tournament. love to see capello have the same sort of passion on the touchline as terim too..really rubs off on the players.
31 toon tastic // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM
YES YES YES! turkey are OUT YESSS! gonna have a party TONIGHT
32 Egar // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Likewise GS.
33 TOON MAN // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:09 PM
WERE IS THIS COMMENT THAT ROCKY 04 WROTE TOM TOON
34 leeg123 // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:13 PM
would really excite me if we cud get toulalan but do u expect him to leave Lyon champions league football to come to us sure hope soo but we shall soon see.
35 Tom_Toon // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Exactly thats why i said, i dont belive it but want to.
Stranger things have happened.
With Lyon a lot of thier players will probably want to leave for a new challenge. You would get bored with the lack of challenge walking to the title every year. Bit of a monotomy.
36 neeraj // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
turkey had a grt game
surely the best team tonight….
they surely are the team of the tourney even if russia reach the finals…… they were the one who set the tourney alive with comebacks, they were my second fav. team n i am happy my fav. team won today….
in the end again we witnessed germans winning when not at their best…….
i can see germany winning the cup for 4th time……..
moral of the story- never ever bet against germans in knockout phase of atleast euro competition……
37 leeg123 // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:22 PM
also the other VDV rumour not sure its true but want to beleive it but he reckons the news will come out of newcastle tomorrow
38 Hadrian // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:23 PM
made a mint off changing odd’s during the turkey game again . honest they have kept me in food this month !
won so much off them ive ordered a turkish football strip ! felt it was only right !
shame they couldnt nick it at the end , but what a game !
39 Merve // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:29 PM
It felt great…
Lost, yes, but i prefer losing this way to winning Greece way…
The thing is, we shouldn’t have scored the first goal
I’m proud of these guys, with 14 membered squad, we’ve done great.
And it’s interesting, when you check the statistics you’ll see we won every match with Arda and lost every time without him..
Of course it has nothing to do with him since we could have won this one… Maybe it has something to do about his ‘luck’?
Whatever.
I’m proud, that’s all…
40 Ross G // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:41 PM
ON ANOTHER NOTE YOU RECKON IF FAT FRED TAKES OVER AT MALLORCA HE WOULD LE US HAVE GUIZA AS HE IS A TOON FAN, THE HAVE SOME GOOD PLAYERS LETS RPE EM
41 Punk Skunk // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Hard luck Turkey, but well done!..The best team lost!..
42 cromscott // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Tom-Toon keep dreaming FFs
43 Punk Skunk // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:46 PM
That’s the least you could do Hadrian!..
44 GSfan // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Ross – Güiza’s gonna go to Fenerbahce
They just announced today that Aragones is their new coach and there were rumours that he put down buying Güiza as a requirement, which the Fenerbahce board never denied when asked about. Tell fat fred to take over Valencia imo and rob their players :p They’re having rough times.
45 gordond // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Today’s the day when we sign VDV aint that right DMAG (don’t believe it for a minute)
46 Tom_Toon // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:16 AM
He might be rght about Toulalan becuase Lyon have Bodmer and have just bought Makoun. + The only rumoured players linked with a move away from Lyon are their left sided layers of Ben Arfa and Kallstrom. So it kinda makes sense that Toulalan would be a player that leaves.
47 Leo // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:17 AM
unlucky turkey who i may choose to adopt as my second ‘national team’
although russia arnt far off with their football style
48 Rem // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Turkey should have won
I would like sabri sarioglu, he isnt a right back he is right midfield.
You can see he is great when attacking
49 Mac // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Germanys defence was well woeful i have to say. Arda hasn´t played tonight because he´s not very good and personelly i think charles is better. Got to go so much to say but the Bird is givin me shite see ya xxxx
50 GSfan // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Rem – Ye his real position is an attacking midfielder. He just plays right back cuz we don’t have any players who plays there. Kinda like er… SWP or David Beckham having to go play there. He was completely lost in his duties as right back throughout the tournament cuz he had no previous experience whatsoever on that position.
Mac – Arda is damn good actually (such that Juve want him… bleh…), and he didn’t play cuz he was suspended. Fair enough if you don’t rate him tho. We sure won’t mind keeping him :p Wanna upset Fenerbahce for another year teaching them splashing the cash on players/referees don’t necessarily win you championships.
51 Gordon // Jun 26, 2008 at 1:09 AM
Lahm’s one of the best fullbacks in the world nomatter what happened tonight.
He’s been Germany’s best player in defence AND attack all tournament. Could do worse than make a cheeky (huge) bid!
52 xfer // Jun 26, 2008 at 4:45 AM
Great game…
53 cg // Jun 26, 2008 at 6:50 AM
Usually Turkey is down at the bottom of my personal favourite lists but yesterday if anything sure felt differently. I’m normally all for “ze german machine” but this time around heart sure beat for Turkey. Tough luck but as said before, very very well performed!
54 The Entertainers // Jun 26, 2008 at 7:22 AM
I think no matter who wins (iwould love to see Spain win) i think the team of the tournamnet is Turkey.
They havent always played great flowing football and some of there players did not seem to have too much quality, but for shear determination and attitude they performed like superstars.
Well done Turkey, you’ve won a lot of respect.
55 ELFER // Jun 26, 2008 at 7:42 AM
I’m pleased to see the kebab’s are out finally! Their luck was unbelievable, althought we all do not like germany…
56 staffsmag // Jun 26, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Lucky German B**t**ds !!!!!!
57 Alex Brett // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I’m gutted! i had Turkey in the sweepstake at work, so they are the team i have been following! my god have they entertained me!
58 toonfan1 // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:18 AM
im surprised no one has been talking about Colin Kazim Richards- what a player he has became. he was rubbish at sheffutd. he has got to be one of the players of the tournement.
59 Nenad The Serbian Mag // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Very brave and inspired performance by a team of men clearly playing for their country and for their people.
People of Turkey should be very very proud of their team and not feel one bit sad about the manner that they lost. It’s the Germanst, that is just what they do…
Rahatluk Turkiye
))
60 DAvies // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:46 AM
I’ve been following Spain throughout, but I have to say I was gutted when Germany got their 3rd goal. They didn’t deserve to win. I’d have been happy to see Spain go out if Turkey had stayed in, simply because I felt they deserved a much better finish.
Next time I may well give my support to the Turks. They were fantastic. Well done.
61 onur // Jun 27, 2008 at 1:10 PM
everybody said about galatasaray need money and sell arda no we don’t need money you must understand galatasaray richest than newcastle because galatasaray have most of lands in Istanbul one of the expensive city in the world if you look at top five and galatasaray going out our new stadium in 2009-2010 if we need money how can we do new stadium yes we have some credits from banks but we are rich club and we can solve it if we buy true transfers and merchandise like england why you don’t buy mehmet topuz from kayserispor he is vey good player but defansive player and if you want right midfielder sabri is good player from galatasaray
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