Semifinal #1 Germany vs Turkey [R]

[Borussia]

I think there's a difference with a small group of
Italians possbily celebrating a win against Germany


There's more Italians living in Germany than you may think. And don't believe they didn't celebrate their semi-final win over Germany with motorcades in many cities...



I think there's a possiblity of trouble if this happened in any country, because there simply will be people who don't want to see the opponents celebrate a win against their country in their country.


The idiots on both sides surely will be taught by the police how to behave...:cool:

[Albirrojo]

I read one Turkish player say he wasn't worried at all. Well, good for him! We will see.

When an underdog struggles nobly, I've noted the soccer press will call them "a brave team", and Turkey is being brave alrighty. The opening 30 minutes will be crucial.


'Not afraid'
Terim took a philosophical view as he looked ahead to Turkey's biggest match since their 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-final loss to Brazil. "If you ask the coaches eliminated if they would be in my place with the players injured and suspended players or watching the semi from home I suppose they would still like to be here." Germany have won four of five previous semi-finals in this competition but Terim added: "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."

Vamos Turquia !!!! :)

[Borussia]

Germans, Turks get ready for emotive semi-final (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550833&cc=5739)


Ballack urges caution ahead of Turkey clash (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550648&cc=5739)


Everyone talking about Turkey, says Terim (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550901&cc=5739)


Turkish Löw-down won't help Germans (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550900&cc=5739)


Lehmann would give his life for final place (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550689&cc=5739)


Turkey's Emre ruled out of semi-final (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550898&cc=5739)


Fearless Turkey ready for Germany (http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=301697/report=pr.html#fearless+turkey+ready+germany)


Let's hope for a great & fair game and a peaceful public viewing all over Germany!

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/vermischtes/2008/06/25/heute-brechen-die-fans/deutsche-fans-schwenken-die-deutsche-fahne-9629006-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=227.jpg

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/vermischtes/2008/06/25/heute-brechen-die-fans/tuerkische-fans-zeigen-die-tuerkische-fahne-9629003-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=227.jpg


I read one Turkish player say he wasn't worried at all.


So why should he be worried?

[Todorov]

Although it would be fantastic if Turkey made it all the way to the final, I think that Germany will win this game. In a normal situation, Germany would already be the favorites because they're more experienced and have overall a better team but if we're adding the circumstance that Turkey is missing more than half of their squad due to injuries and suspensions, then it's a win-win situation for Germany.

Surprisingly, I think that the Germans have a very good chance of winning this cup after all.

[cookiely]

[QUOTE=Albirrojo;14989071

When an underdog struggles nobly, I've noted the soccer press will call them "a brave team", and Turkey is being brave alrighty. The opening 30 minutes will be crucial.[/QUOTE]

are you sure you don`t mean the last ten minutes are crucial :D

[Borussia]

but if we're adding the circumstance that Turkey is missing more than half of their squad due to injuries and suspensions, then it's a win-win situation for Germany.


Germany was in the same situation like Turkey in 1996 ... and you know what happened in the end.

[Todorov]

Germany was in the same situation like Turkey in 1996 ... and you know what happened in the end.

Germany has enough quality to beat this turkish side. It's as simple as that. Of course, that is if they play as focused as they played against Portugal.

If they go back to those dull performances against Austria and Croatia, then Turkey has a real chance.

[1a Schnitzel]

the anoying thing is: all the talking wont help, we still have to wait till tomorrow evening! And all of us armchair coaches will sit there with a beer in our hand and have to accept whatever may come! :D The god of football was always drunk and crazy, you can never forecast anything!

[Albirrojo]

Germany was in the same situation like Turkey in 1996 ... and you know what happened in the end.


Not to be argumentative, but we know UEFA allowed Germany to call up a player: I guess just one. They are not giving any slack to Turkey and that isn't fair.

[Pfeife]

Not to be argumentative, but we know UEFA allowed Germany to call up a player: I guess just one. They are not giving any slack to Turkey and that isn't fair.


Not to be argumentative, but

a) in 1996, all German players which were missing couldn't play due to injuries, while in Turkey's case, 4 players are missing due to yellow and red cards.

b) in 1996, the called up squads consisted only of 22 and not 23 players like nowadays.

c) the 1 player which Germany was allowed to call up for the final, Jens Todt, wasn't used at all.

[Albirrojo]

Good, now, we have some light on the subject: it was repeated as being the same situation and if it was: then UEFA would be acting hypocritical.

And as has been said, Scwheinsteiger's suspension was lighter than Vulkan's, makes one wonder.

"Substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger became the first player to be sent off in the tournament for pushing Jerko Leko in stoppage time." - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/7605042

But Vulkan is suspended for two games, but Schweinsteiger was suspended for only one, I believe if I heard correctly.

"I didn't approve Volkan's action. It wasn't necessary and it wasn't right," Terim said. "But the judgment (by UEFA) was too harsh. I hope Volkan will be treated like Bastian Schweinsteiger, who made a similar foul in my opinion." - http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-06-19-1488684041_x.htm

Not to be argumentative, but

a) in 1996, all German players which were missing couldn't play due to injuries, while in Turkey's case, 4 players are missing due to yellow and red cards.

b) in 1996, the called up squads consisted only of 22 and not 23 players like nowadays.

c) the 1 player which Germany was allowed to call up for the final, Jens Todt, wasn't used at all.

After all:

Borussia wrote:

Germany was in the same situation like Turkey in 1996 ... and you know what happened in the end.

Oh, not to be argumentative, forgive me for responding!

[Striker X]

Have been really impressed with Turkey heart and determination in this tournament, but I think their run will end here. Croatia wasted their free kick opportunities and I don't think Germany will do much better. That attack with Klose, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, and Ballack is scary.

That being said I don't want to count Turkey completely out. I would think the loss of Arda would be huge (he to me seemed their most consistent player). Can any Turkish fans let me know who I should be watching for against Germany?

[The One & Only]

I believe in miracles!!!

Turkey will move on to the next round

[torque]

Hello to all,

I am from Istanbul, Turkey. I have been following these forums for quite some time, and I honestly appreciate the quality of the discussion in these forums. I wanted to join the discussion before the match.

Needless to say, I am quite happy what our national team accomplished so far. Some critical injuries coupled with personal misselections of the coach and card suspensions (some of them to the aggressive play and some of them to some bashing off), the team has not been able to provide what was supposed to display in terms of organized football. Our one of the most relied stars, right back Gokhan Gonul was stupidly injured and left the squad before the tournament. Altintop was forced to play in his place first, although he plays for the midfield. Then he was replaced with Sabri, who did barely play for his club team this year. Add our glass wonderkid Emre Belozoglu's injury and we result with a messed up midfield. Our defence has not shined ever, and therefore, our team's supposed organisation went down.

We had to rely on the fire power, the mental strength and individual flares of the talented footballers and all of these were, of course, blended with Kısmet. And we are here.

I get quite amused when people say that "Croatia was better in football terms in the quarter final". Come on, the mid field we had in this match was like a joke. Tuncay Sanli was playing as a centre mc tackling all around? Emre and Aurelio are not playing? Our defence line which included Emre Asik who even is not in the squad of his own mid Turkish league team? One of our most respected pundits joked during the match break that our right back (Sabri) was one of the most important guns of the Croats although the lad was giving in all he could. And we played against the Croats, which I have been respectfully following for quite some time. while they were finishing off the English, Russians (yes) or Germans.

We managed to keep up with them, they were poor in the finishing in the first 90 min, however we also pushed some at the extensions. We were not shining but did we have other choice? And while people were complaining that our team had a very lucky goal at the last second, which was surely the case, no one mentioned the goal we conceded a minute ago, which was made to a goal without the goalkeeper in front of it.

Now we are playing with Germany without our two most important talents, who, according to my utmost objective opinion, slaughtered in terms of yellow cards in the quarter final. Arda and Tuncay got yellow cards in quarter final while they were attacking. And having seen most of the games in this cup, I was thrilled with the standard applied to them. Now is not the time for whining and some people can disagree (UEFA surely is, they assigned the ref to the final), however I just wanted to mention that.

As for tomorrow, it is a statement that everyone following Turkish football agree that our squad tomorrow will lack 6 critical players which will be in everyone's ideal 11. Gokhan Gonul, Emre Belozoglu, Arda Cetin, Tuncay Sanli, Nihat Kahveci and Servet Cetin. This is depressing especially for Arda and Tuncay: Not from the perspective of winning or losing, to have a match that will really be much better. Now we are depleted significantly. Having said that, the reserves Semih, Ugur and Gokdeniz are quite talented guys. Semih was our top scorer in Turkey. Ugur replaced Tuncay very succesfully in Fenerbahce and one of key players which helped Fenerbahce to advance into CL quarterfinals and Gokdeniz is one of the most talented footballers in Turkey. As such, from attack wise, we are not so weak. However, defense? This will be the key. If Germany will early score from the set pieces, then we will have a problem. If not, then we'll see.

Let me also state an important issue for me. Look guys, the most important foreign contributor, what our nation has accomplished so far in the last twenty years in football terms, was Germans. We have enjoyed the contributions of technical and organizational genius of Mr. Jupp Derwall (to me, creator of modern Galatasaray), Mr. Christoph Daum (the one who transformed Fenerbahce) and Mr. Loew who was one of the most belowed managers of my lovely Fenerbahce (he lost a so close championship against Fatih Terim's Galatasaray that time). Our football wisdom in Turkey was continuously fed by youngsters who started playing in Germany when they started football, managers who were edecuated in Germany or simply import talents such as Hamit who have been in Germany since their birth. I have a personal angle that, for what we achieved so far, and hopefully will achieve tomorrow (honestly a wishful thinking than an expectation) it will be a partly German success too.

As for the arrogance issues, I must state that most of the posts I read, what the footballers or Loew said had no clue of arrogance. I respect that. Of course, I sense that most of the people will prefer Turkey to Spain or Croatia, and I understand this. I also leave aside the usual nationalist chants in the press, which all the countries have.

As a final mark, I hope that we will be the ones in the final. This will be very hard, and honestly I do not have much hope. I am sure that our boys will put on the field whatever they can. And this has worked so far, hasn't it?

Fair play to all of you.

[benztown]

Hello to all,

I am from Istanbul, Turkey. I have been following these forums for quite some time, and I honestly appreciate the quality of the discussion in these forums. I wanted to join the discussion before the match...

Great comment, repped.

It's interesting to see you talk about Löw. Although I was aware of the fact that he did work in Turkey, I didn't know what Turks actually think about him.

Edit: And since Löw lost to Terim in the Turkish championship, he has something to make up tonight ;)

[torque]

Great comment, repped.

It's interesting to see you talk about Löw. Although I was aware of the fact that he did work in Turkey, I didn't know what Turks actually think about him.

Edit: And since Löw lost to Terim in the Turkish championship, he has something to make up tonight ;)


He is quite liked by Fenerbahce fans. He came to us while Galatasaray was dominating the league with Fatih Terim (four consecutive titles between 1996 to 2000), Loew was quite young and it was an intersting choice by club management to put the guy in charge. Fenerbahce played very good football and we were heading the league. Then our best guy in the mid field broke his leg and we stupidly gave the lead in a critial Galatasaray game. Then motivated Galatasaray team took over and got it again. By this time, Fenerbahce was very shaky, and although Loew was deemed as succesful by most of the fans, he had to quit the job. Ask any Fenerbahce fan, we like the guy. Then he stayed around, coached for a weak but respectful team in Turkey called Adanaspor (the home town of Fatih Terim by the way and the arch rival of Fatih Terim's original club Adana Demir Spor), then I think the team was relegated. I was quite amused when I learned the guy is assisting Klinsmann.

Let me finish this with a very strange fact. Of all four semi-finalists, their managers had some association with Fenerbahce:

- Loew was our ex manager.
- Hiddink was also our ex-manager (and Fenerbahce is one of his lowest points of his career)
- Aragones is being planned to head the team this year. (Not quite happy about that)
- And if Fatih Terim becomes Fenerbahce manager, half of our fans will resign from the team. (he is the legendary coach of Galatasaray, so much bad history with Fenerbahce)

[96Squig]

While I personally don't mind that much if Turkey wins (would root for them in the final, I mean there are only 3 German teams in this world anyways :-D ), a Portugese last night came to me and told me quite sorely that despite losing to us, he would want Germany to win, just because then he could maybe get some sleep tonight. Thought that was funny.

I wish everybody a great game and lots of fun! do it for Türkschland! :-)

[1a Schnitzel]

very very good read torque!!! Thanks for investing so much time into that post, it was worth it! And I dont say this because you made some positive statements about Germany.

[Borussia]

And since Löw lost to Terim in the Turkish championship, he has something to make up tonight ;)

He he. ;)

@ torque

Great post! Let's hope for a good & fair game in a superb atmosphere. May the better or luckier team win.


Btw: Here's an article from the official DFB site:

http://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/Image_Archive/News/81671131_03_14971_w583.jpg

Sharing the excitement, sharing the joy

German and Turkish fans will join tonight for a football-party, as the two teams compete for the right to play in Sunday’s final of the UEFA EURO 2008. The Presidents of the two football federations, Dr. Theo Zwanziger of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) and Hasan Dogan of the Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF), have called upon the fans of both countries to behave peacefully and enjoy the match-up. Zwanziger and Dogan write: “The intensity and rivalry on the field should not translate into violence and outbursts between the two fan groups. Even if our two teams engage in an exciting battle, giving their everything for 90 or even 120 minutes, we will still respect each other following the final whistle”.

more:
http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=500016&tx_dfbnews_pi1[showUid]=14971

[Albirrojo]

I have a few past Turkey games recorded I've watched in the last few days.

They were already close to the comeback Kings when they played Switzerland in that second game of the playoff in 2006: they gave up a penalty kick in the first 3 minutes of the game and had to battle all game to try to get what would have put them through, a positive difference of 3 goals I believe between the two legs versus the Swiss: and in that game they came up short barely.

I think this game is a bit like that one where Turkey really has their backs to the wall.

Good post Torque.

I shall watch the game later and the best to the Turks.