‘We are in the final whoever wins’
June 24, 2008 at 9:57 am | In Germany, Turkey | 3 CommentsTags: Arne Friedrich, Association of Turkish Communities, Fan Mile, Fatih Terim, Germany, Hakan Balta, Hamit Altintop, Mehmet Scholl, Michael Wirtz. Kenan Kolat, Nuri Sahin, Sepp Pontiek, Turkey
Germany v Turkey may not appear a local derby, but in a way that is exactly what Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final in Basel resembles.
Strong ties
Around seven million foreign citizens live in Germany, and two million of them are Turkish, with 400,000 others having similar roots. In the 1960s the booming West German economy produced a labour shortage, prompting a stream of Turkish arrivals. In reverse, four million German tourists flock to Turkish beaches annually. Ties are strong between the two countries, but the relationship has not always been easy between communities, as is often the case with mass immigration. Things have changed for the better though in recent years. Third and fourth-generation Turkish-Germans have founded successful companies in their new home country, creating jobs and making an important contribution to the gross national product. Integration is now strong.
Hamit up for final challenge
June 21, 2008 at 12:14 am | In Turkey | Leave a CommentTags: Hamit Altintop, Turkey
Hamit Altıntop is looking further forward than a semi-final reunion with a number of his FC Bayern Munchen team-mates after helping Turkey defeat Croatia in an epic last-eight tie in Vienna. “If we believe in ourselves we can win the tournament,” said the Carlsberg Man of the Match award winner.
Winning penalty
The midfielder covered more ground than any other player – 14.21kms – and came into his own in an unfamiliar role as Turkey’s playmaker following the 76th-minute substitution of Mehmet Topal for Semih Şentürk. Semih went on to rifle in a last-second equaliser after Ivan Klasnić had scored 29 into minutes into extra time for the Croatians, leading to a shoot-out which the team in red won 3-1. Hamit, who drilled in Turkey’s third penalty, said: “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 nervousness in football. If we carry on this way, and believe in ourselves, we can win the tournament.”
Turkey triumph in Vienna shoot-out
June 21, 2008 at 12:12 am | In Croatia, Turkey | 4 CommentsTags: Arda Turan, Croatia, Emre Asik, Fatih Terim, Hamit Altintop, Ivan Klasnic, Luka Modric, Mehmet Aurelio, Mehmet Topal, Robert Kovac, Rustu Recber, Semih Senturk, Slaven Bilic, Tuncay Sanli, Turkey, volkan demirel
Turkey are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time at Croatia’s expense after a thrilling match in Vienna was decided on penalties after the two sides had swapped goals in the final moments of extra time.
Sensational comeback
When Ivan Klasnić headed in Luka Modrić’s cross with a minute of the overtime period to play, Croatia looked to have booked their place in Wednesday’s semi-final against Germany. However, for the third game running, Turkey sensationally hit back at the death to force the first shoot-out of these finals when Semih Şentürk drove in, with the aid of a deflection, from just inside the area. They went on to win 3-1 on penalties after Rüştü Reçber saved Mladen Petrić’s kick following earlier misses from Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. Turkey coach Fatih Terim, though, will struggle to get a team together to play Germany with Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan all suspended along with Volkan Demirel after being booked here.
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