Euro 2008, SF: Germany 3 - 2 Turkey - 25/06/08

[Morrison]

I hope that the Deutschland crush the Turkey today with maybe...4-0.

It's must be a end for the luck who the Turkey have so far in this tournament.

[RunX]

i`d say the will be a hard match .. for germany .. semih is good finisher he scores 17 gols this season with fener.. karadeniz is a fast player ... he can make problems
kazim kazim good dribbler ... and altintop will lead them from the medfild
i think turkey problems would be on defense ...

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Terim Not Looking For A Miracle

Turkey coach Fatih Terim has shrugged off the notion his side have made the Euro 2008 semi-finals due to a series of miracles a they gear up to face Germany this evening...

Turkey have staged three comebacks on the trot to keep themselves alive in the competition, coming from 1-0 down against co-hosts Switzerland in torrential conditions, then coming from 2-0 down in the group decider against the Czech Republic to win 3-2 in the last 15 minutes, then in the quarterfinal, having conceded the first goal of the game on 118 minutes, they managed to smash home an equaliser and win on penalties.

Understandably, there has been talk of fate and miracles as there was when Greece won the tournament four years ago, but Terim insists his side have simply been committed to their cause and earned their results.

"As far as I know there are three results you can get: win, lose or draw. There is no result called a miracle in football," said the coach.

"Einstein said there are two ways to live – one is to believe everything is a miracle and live your life that way, the second is to believe nothing is a miracle. I belong to the second group.

"We've worked hard to put together a team who work a lot and believe in themselves. Everyone enjoys watching us – we send a message about life as well as football."

Turkey face an injury crisis, as well as having four players out suspended, and in a worse case scenario he will have just 13 outfield players from which to select his first 11, meaning he will not even have the option of a third substitute.

Terim has, however, repeated the words of one of his available players, Colin Kazim-Richards, who maintained yesterday that any of the 12 eliminated sides would give everything to be in Turkey's shoes, irrespective of the injury crisis.

"If you asked the eliminated coaches if they would be in my place with the injured and suspended players, or watching the semi-final from home, I suppose they would still like to be here," reasoned the former Fiorentina boss.

"We have courage and believe in our chances. We respect Germany but we are not afraid of them, just as we've not been afraid of any other opponent."

The coach also praised the hunger within his young side: "Before coming here, I was asked if experience was important or hunger for success and I said hunger was important.

"They are young but hungry and this is what the team is benefiting from. I have been using Kazım since the beginning of the tournament and he is of a nature where he can control his excitement, and tomorrow we can make use of those players.

"They are young but I do not consider it a disadvantage as the dynamism you get from them is just as important and can benefit the team."

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Terim Not Looking For A Miracle

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We're Not Underestimating Turkey - Ballack

Germany captain Michael Ballack is aware of the threat posed by tonight's Euro 2008 semi-final opponents Turkey...

Despite a somewhat faltering progression from the group stage, Germany have hit their stride in the knockout rounds as usual, beating Portugal 3-2 in the quarterfinal to set up their sixth semi-final in the history of the European Championships. They've won four of their last five, and won three of their four finals, the last of which was in 1996.

The baron spell inbetween saw them fail to pick up a win at the 2000 or 2004 editions of the tournament or even make it out of the groups, but with those days firmly behind them, the belief the Mannschaft can go all the way is strong.

"Of course, the mood in the camp since the victory over Portugal has been even better," said Ballack.

"We were able to recover for a couple days but are now getting impatient because the break is a little too long.

"We want to get back to action – we're ready for the game against Turkey.

"I am very calm and happy that we are in the semi-final. Everyone is eyeing the chance to reach the final, though the task against Turkey will be extremely difficult.

"Turkey can adjust incredibly well to every kind of opponent, and they have, in Fatih Terim, a coach who can motivate his players extremely well. And anyway, how could we underestimate a team that beat Croatia? We lost against that team and did not look good doing so.

"This kind of game depends on details, so it would not be too clever to say too much," said the 31-year-old when quizzed on his side's tactical approach to tonight's game.

"We have some options. On the one side, our system against Portugal worked very well, but on the other, Turkey are a very different team from the Portuguese. They will play more defensively – I expect a game in which we will at least have a lot more possession."

The consummate midfielder is hoping to improve on his side's 2006 World Cup run - which they hosted - and got to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Italy. "We got eliminated and were so close to the final – we want to improve on that," declared the Chelsea star.

"We learned back then that you have to play games until the referee blows the final whistle, and you always have to play fully concentrated. The Turkey team have proved in this tournament how important that is."

The German also told the Daily Mail how his side recovered from their early loss to Croatia. "As a squad we sat down and talked.

"I wouldn't call it a crisis meeting but you have to be honest with yourselves and each other when things go wrong.

"I had a few harsh words to say, but everybody had to understand, and quickly. We agreed that we had to return to our traditional strengths as a side.

"We were missing creativity, relaxation, ease and self-belief and we agreed we had to change something. Joachim agreed too.

"I've worked with Joachim for four years now. He has his ideas and he knows mine. We often talk and he asks me my opinions, so we have got to know each other more and more. It means I have an input into his thoughts.

"Many of us were in the side that lost to Italy in the World Cup semi-final. We remember how that hurt but it is not a burden for us. In fact, it is a motivation.

"That game we lost to a goal in the 118th minute and now this Turkish team is the best example of late goals and of the fact that you should never give up.

"We don't underestimate anybody. That suggestion is totally wrong. Everyone will be burning with passion for the victory."

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - We're Not Underestimating Turkey - Ballack

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According to Bundesliga.de, Löw will play the 4-2-3-1 formation:

Klose
Podolski - Ballack (C) - Schweinsteiger
Hitzlsperger - Frings (Rolfes)
Lahm - Metzelder - Mertesacker - Friedrich
Lehmann

[DavidMc]

Looks like a great atmosphere.

Want to see Germany win.

[DavidMc]

[DavidMc]

Good hit by Kazim Richards, hit the bar.

[ReMad]

National anthems
click here for the video

2 Dangerous chances for Turkey 13'
click here for the video

[Jager]

Egad, what autrocious defending on that goal.

[DavidMc]

Jens Lehmann, although not totally at fault, was disappointing there.

[Jager]

What a nice goal on the fly. I think that will break the back of the Turks.

[ReMad]

1st Goal for Turkey - Boral 22'
click here for the video

1st Goal for Germany - Schweinsteiger 26'
click here for the video

[__-SNAKE-__]

I had no idea that England are back in the Euro, I thought this game was supposly Germany vs Turkey not England vs Turkey. What a screwed up mentality fucken possesion ball, Turkey are pressing very hard but "Germany" are just playing into their hands and giving this match to them. Rolfes and Hitzlsperger are fucken useless and uneffective in the middle. Turkey's had a little luck in it but a good goal nonthe less. Germany's goal was better, great teamplay by Poldi and Schweini. Loew should try a better approach to the game and sub off Friedrich,Hitzlsperger and Rolfes and put in Borowski,Frings and Fritz/Jansen.

[BlackNess]

How much can we eat shit ???

How mush are we gonna keep watching with our heart between our balls from fear ?? Fuck Lehmann out .

He is a joke, He must retire Immediately .

What is going on with Low ? If i were him Enke would have been worming up rightnow .

Bring in Borowski or Frings.

[DavidMc]

The story so far...............