Euro 2008: Day 17 - Semi Final 1 (Wednesday 25th June)

[Geordie Ahmed]

Germany v Turkey
Basel, June 25 1945 BST
Live TV coverage TBC
Commentary: Radio 5 Live

[Geordie Ahmed]

Both Germany and Turkey were expected to lose their Quarter Finals BUT they played well to get through

Germany have been playing very efficiently and they are ebing lead superbly by Ballack

Turkey have been hit and miss BUT they have the never say die attitude - they have been scoring goals right at the end and have fought brilliantly in the group stages and in their Quarter Final win over Croatia

Hard to call this one - Germany are the better side BUT Turkey certainly cant be written off

HOWAY TURKEY

[Mohsin]

Really really really want Turkey to win BUT with all the suspensions they've been hit by, i dint see them having enough to overcome the Germans.
But never say never!

I'm not a Geordie but..........................HOWAY TURKEY

[Obeid]

Originally Posted by Mohsin_Pak786 Really really really want Turkey to win BUT with all the suspensions they've been hit by, i dint see them having enough to overcome the Germans. But never say never! I'm not a Geordie but..........................HOWAY TURKEY

How many players suspended for the next game? Will turkey be short a few?

[161]

I think Turkey has a good shot in this.

They already beat a better team in Croatia.

The big question now is how good is their bench strength ?

Tuncay will be sorely missed ... he does the work of two players and he has been IMO one of the best players of the tournament thus far.

[observer1]

Interesting Fact: Turkey are through to the Semi-Final even though they have only been ahead for about 2.5 minutes in the entire tournament.

Realistically i don't think they will make it. They played good but with a shortage of players, Croatia are a good team, but i feel the Germans will not be as forgiving as Croatia, especially against a team that has so much squad injuries and suspensions.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by kashif77 I think Turkey has a good shot in this. They already beat a better team in Croatia. The big question now is how good is their bench strength ? Tuncay will be sorely missed ... he does the work of two players and he has been IMO one of the best players of the tournament thus far.

I disagree - i thought he was rubbish in the group games BUT yesterday he had a very good game, covered plenty of grass altho his final touch still let him down a little

Nihat went off injured yesterday, i hope thats not too serious - they need him fit. Also would be great if Emre can be fit enough cos he is an important player for them

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by Obeid How many players suspended for the next game? Will turkey be short a few?

I think they've got 3 suspensions as well as a fair few injury problems!

[SwEeT CaNdY]

DEUTSCHLAAAAAAAAAAND DEUTSCHLAAAAAND!!!!
way to go boys!!! Ballack n co gonna win this easily!

[TurkishCricketFan]

The Germans are a really impressive team. I do not think we will be able to beat them. And a prospect of Holland v Germany final is too good for a football purist like me.

Obviously I want my team to win but hey it is ok if we see a repeat of 1974 1988 1990 clashes between ze Germanz and the Dutch.

[SwEeT CaNdY]

Originally Posted by TurkishCricketFan The Germans are a really impressive team. I do not think we will be able to beat them. And a prospect of Holland v Germany final is too good for a football purist like me. Obviously I want my team to win but hey it is ok if we see a repeat of 1974 1988 1990 clashes between ze Germanz and the Dutch.

U guys do have a good team with a never die attitude but against us NO CHANCE!

[TurkishCricketFan]

Originally Posted by SwEeT CaNdY U guys do have a good team with a never die attitude but against us NO CHANCE!

Germany have won the European Cup 3 times and came second twice. They are clearly the most succesful football nation in Europe, their experience discipline and winning mentality is second to none. Also they have a smart coach and a very physical yet at the same time technical team. They are the clear favorites as such.

So, the pressure is totally on you guys. We are successful and won't mind losing to Germany that much but for ze Germans a loss is unthinkable.

Also the thought of a possible clash against the so far best team and a great footballing rival of Germany, Holland should be starting to crawl in all Germans minds.

[Ghoshtbuster]

Originally Posted by TurkishCricketFan Also they have a smart coach

Your guy, Fatih Terim, is not so bad himself.

[TurkishCricketFan]

Originally Posted by Ghoshtbuster Your guy, Fatih Terim, is not so bad himself.

unfortunately I have to disagree. his specialty is motivation and that only.

[Geordie Ahmed]

from bbc.co.uk/sport

Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci will miss the rest of Euro 2008 because of a thigh injury, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Sunday. "Before going (home) he sent his best wishes to the squad and wished them victory against Germany," the TFF said. Turkey are decimated through injuries and suspensions, with nine players unavailable for the semi-final. Coach Fatih Terim says he may even need deputy keeper Tolgan Zengin to play outfield, so short is he of players. Nihat hurt his thigh three minutes from the end of the game in Friday's penalty shoot-out win over Croatia in Vienna. The 28-year-old replaced the injured Emre Belozoglu for the group match against the Czech Republic - and scored twice late on in Turkey's remarkable 3-2 comeback win which saw them qualify from Group A. A team spokesman said Emre had a 50-50 chance of playing against Germany. Germany coach Joachim Low said Simon Rolfes could retain his place in midfield as Torsten Frings remains doubtful with a broken rib. Rolfes impressed in quarter-final win over Portugal after the influential was ruled out through his injury.

Will be a huge miss for Turkey

I hope they can win BUT they are struggling with injuries and suspension

[Big Mac]

Don't worry guys, if Servet is 20% healthy he will destroy Germany on his own leaving so much room on the pitch that even Colin Kazim-Richards will be able to look good.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Servet is a beast - i hope the rumours we are after him are true

Love to see him in the toon and getting into fights and what have you

[161]

So who knows anything about the Turkish bench strength ?

Do they have anything significant to offer ?

[Sheikh]

Originally Posted by kashif77 So who knows anything about the Turkish bench strength ? Do they have anything significant to offer ?

Does it matter? As long as Germany have ''deadweight'' Ballack weighing them down, Turkey should win in a canter.

[161]

if u want to make a "why ballack doesn't suck thread" .. go right ahead.

but while ur here .. would u mind sticking to the topic plz ?

[Sheikh]

Originally Posted by kashif77 if u want to make a "why ballack doesn't suck thread" .. go right ahead. but while ur here .. would u mind sticking to the topic plz ?

How have I gone off topic? All I did was mention that Ballack the deadweight will hurt his teams chances...surely that has something to do with Germany Vs Turkey right?

[SwEeT CaNdY]

Originally Posted by Sheikh How have I gone off topic? All I did was mention that Ballack the deadweight will hurt his teams chances...surely that has something to do with Germany Vs Turkey right?

BALLACK is the captain so of course this is not off topic!
He's gonna get 2 goals in this game INSHALLAH

[SwEeT CaNdY]

Originally Posted by Big Mac Don't worry guys, if Servet is 20% healthy he will destroy Germany on his own leaving so much room on the pitch that even Colin Kazim-Richards will be able to look good.

We'll see

[SwEeT CaNdY]

Originally Posted by TurkishCricketFan Germany have won the European Cup 3 times and came second twice. They are clearly the most succesful football nation in Europe, their experience discipline and winning mentality is second to none. Also they have a smart coach and a very physical yet at the same time technical team. They are the clear favorites as such. So, the pressure is totally on you guys. We are successful and won't mind losing to Germany that much but for ze Germans a loss is unthinkable. Also the thought of a possible clash against the so far best team and a great footballing rival of Germany, Holland should be starting to crawl in all Germans minds.

but our boys know how to handle pressure...so I'm not worried at all on this

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by kashif77 So who knows anything about the Turkish bench strength ? Do they have anything significant to offer ?

Well the manager has said that the backup keeper (3rd choice) might be asked to play outfield later on in the game - that tells you how decimated they are with injuries and suspensions

[Amjid Javed]

Turkey down to 13/14 fit players. I hope they can pull of the shock of shocks but is it one game to far for the Fighting turks?

[SwEeT CaNdY]

a great atmosphere here in germany...all turks n germans having fun together...me loving it. most of my class fellows told me they will skip school tomorrow gonna have party all night!
So the fans are ready just hope we get to see great football

[Geordie Ahmed]

TEAMS

Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski, Klose

Turkey: Rustu, Sarioglu, Topal, Zan, Balta, Aurelio, Kazim-Richards, Altintop, Akman, Boral, Senturk

[161]

if the turks somehow pull this one out it will be one of the all time greatest underdog wins ...

[Mohsin]

If they can somehow win, i will become a Turk until after the final.
If they win i will be PPs second Turkish member!
C'mon Turkey!!!!!!!!!!

[Oxy]

How many fit players on the TUrks bench?

[Oxy]

Another fantastic stadium.

Brilliant tournament - the hosts have a top job so far

[Oxy]

Impressed with Motson's Turkish skills.

Shame about his English though....

[Geordie Ahmed]

1922: Galling news if, like me, you are awaiting your brand new BMW. The car-maker is stopping production at all its German factories while this game is on. Up to 1,000 vehicles will not be built - more if it goes to extra time, I would think. Well really.

[Geordie Ahmed]

1852: Let's pick through the bones of that then. Germany, handily, are unchanged. Turkey are not. They have four players suspended and five injured so Semih Senturk starts up front in the absence of Tuncay and Nihat Kahveci. Mehmet Aurelio is back after suspension. Ayhan Akman is in the line-up and will make his first appearance of Euro 2008. Fatih Terim has named seven subs, including a keeper.

[Mohsin]

^^and if they lose?!

[Oxy]

Germans have 5 more players than Turks on the subs bench!

[Geordie Ahmed]

game is underway

[Oxy]

Kazim Richards cant speak a word of Turkish btw!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Oxy Kazim Richards cant speak a word of Turkish btw!

Wayne Rooney cant speak a word of English btw!

[Oxy]

Dont teams get special dispensation to bring in additional players for injury?

[Geordie Ahmed]

Howay Turkey

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Wayne Rooney cant speak a word of English btw!

He's fluent in 'Potato' though....

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Oxy Dont teams get special dispensation to bring in additional players for injury?

Thats what i was thinking BUT since no one was brought in i guess not

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Oxy He's fluent in 'Potato' though....

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Oxy Another fantastic stadium. Brilliant tournament - the hosts have a top job so far

Agreed altho the pitches have been a bit average at times BUT then again it did chuck it down at the start so that might have affected things

[Oxy]

TUrks with the 1st attack of the match - decent ball in!

Good start.

Germs nervy

[Geordie Ahmed]

That was a good cross - positive start by the Turks

[Oxy]

Richards with a sweet hit from 30 yds.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Kazim Richards with a decent effort from about 25 yards, keeper saves it comfortably tho

[Oxy]

All Turkey!

Germans lucky not to be 1-0 down

Richards having a great start

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ooooh - Lahm mistake, Altintop has a shot then saved by Lehmann

Turkey playing well

[Geordie Ahmed]

Richards playing like Zidane ;)

[Oxy]

I'm being off the computer...on your own Gerodie......

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Oxy I'm being off the computer...on your own Gerodie......

Ah right - lets hope the Turks can pull off a win

[Geordie Ahmed]

Good run by Sarioglu - gets a cross in from the left and its cleared by the Germans

[Mohsin]

great stuff from turkey!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ooooooooooooooooh - Kazim Richards hits the bar, great play by Turkey

Good pass from the touchline to Richards who was in the centre and his shot rattled the bar

[Oxy]

Richards SCREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAMER against the cross bar

Its all Turkey!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Scheinsteiger fails to control the ball and it goes for a corner

All Turkey so far

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Ah right - lets hope the Turks can pull off a win

Kicked him off again!

[Oxy]

HOw long can the TUrks keep this pace up for?

[Geordie Ahmed]

Some desperate defending by the Germans

Turkey doing a brilliant job so far - fair play to Fatih Terim

[Geordie Ahmed]

Im off to eat some food - shall be back shortly

Lets hope the Turks have scored by then

[Oxy]

Motson - you are still a rubbish commie...

[Oxy]

1-0 TURKIYE!!!!

It was coming!

Shock on the cards!!!

Gerodies gone for food!

[Mohsin]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssss

[Oxy]

Lehmans made to look a fool!

No.16 Ugur Boral scores his 1st goal for TUrkey!

[Mohsin]

Tho Terim shud get some antipersprint...

[Mohsin]

Not very diplomatic from the Turkish president

[Zechariah]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Im off to eat some food - shall be back shortly Lets hope the Turks have scored by then

and they have, you should get food more often GA.

[Oxy]

Vierra look alike nearly sets up their 2nd!

[Oxy]

1-1

Swisteiger (sp) equalises

[Mohsin]

oh well

[Mohsin]

Real pressure for Turkey now!

[Mohsin]

loopy free kick almost doing lehman, corner

[Geordie Ahmed]

That was another dodgy moment by Lehmann, a harmless free kick which he ended up tipping over the bar

[Oxy]

All TUrkiye.

Corner after corner.

Lehmans is flapping with the rest of the defence.

I can see Turks getting another

[Geordie Ahmed]

Good play by Ugar Boral BUT his shot was very very tame

[Geordie Ahmed]

Germany scored from their 1st attack - jammy gitts

Turkey still dominating - hopefully they will get a deserved 2nd soon