"Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey"

In a spectacular night in Geneva, Turkey came back from 2-0 down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 and earn a place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008.

The Czech Republic is expected to slide in the last eight after goals from Jan Koller and Martin Plasil has given them a two goal advantage through midway the second half, but Arda Turan pulled one back for the Turks, before a Petr Cech left howler Nihat for the tie with two minutes remaining. Then, in a remarkable denoument to an extraordinary match, Nihat of Turkey won the game with just one minute of the 90 left.

There is still time for more drama to turkish goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was sent off for pushing Koller, and Turkey, having used all three substitutes were forced to use Tuncay in the goal for the final few seconds.

There was little evidence of the drama to come in the opening half hour with both sides aware that defeat would mean the elimination seems overawed by the occasion.

The Czech Republic expects the most useful part of compensation, with every chance of falling early form part of Karel Bruckner. The 11 minute Jan Koller, reminds one side after being dropped earlier tha game against Portugal, stealing a yard on his marker Servet, but could not direct his header goalwards.

Jankulowsi enjoyed much space on the left flank and gave a wonderful cross by Sionko which was denied by the outrushing Volkan.

Czech pressure finally told when Jan Koller headed home in 34 minutes. Grygera was allowed to roam the right flank and the side of the cross was met by a resounding header front of the tower, and although Volkan tip the ball to the bar, the ball fell over the line.

The Turks were struggling to cope with Koller and the striker was about to add a second when he outmuscled his marker Servet, but could not direct his header from a free kick Jankulowski.

Turkey were transformed after the break, and began to dominate possession as Slovakia seemed content to sit deep and cling to its goal of a lead. However, in a rare break forward, Bruckner's side managed to extend their advantage when they slipped into Plasil in the rear of products Sionko home the cross. The goal was not without a hint of controversy with Turkey, which had been temporarily reduced to ten men for an injury to Emre Gungor, were furious that the referee had not allowed to bring a replacement.

The game is expected to Fatih Terim, but to his credit that followed taking the game to their opponents and were rewarded for their efforts on 75 minutes when Arda become Hamit Altintop to withdraw from the right.

Servet had a wonderful chance to equalise but he could only steer his header wide of goal from just four yards.

However, Turkey continues to move in 87 minutes and scored an unlikely tie. The normally-reliable Petr Cech, under no pressure at all, a shed innocent cross Hamit Altintop and Nihat reacted quickly to take advantage of a vacuum net.

At this stage it seemed inevitable sanctions, but the Turks had not read the script and that evoked a superb winner in the race full time. Nihat broke the offside trap before a brilliant curling right foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar from just outside the area.

The Czechs driven in search of a tie and a long ball created chaos in the penalty area hit the turkish Volkan with defender Emre Ssik, but fortunately for the Turks the ball was cleared to safety. Following the incident Volkan square up Koller and pushed the Czech striker to the ground. The referee dismissed the keeper and Turkey were forced to play in goal for Tuncay closing moments. It is a surreal conclusion to what had been a remarkable game.

At the final whistle players Czech sank to the floor, barely able to comprehend what had just happened, while all around him delirious turkish players enjoyed the moment.

Turkey now face Croatia in the quarterfinals and if they can reproduce the spirit that showed tonight, then anything is possible.




Group A
Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey

Annotation:
Turkey: Arda Turan 75, Nihat Kahveci 87, 89
Czech Republic: Jan Koller 34, Jaroslav Plasil 62

Red Card: Volkan Demirel (Turkey) 90 +2

Half-time: 0-1

Teams
Turkey: 23-Volkan Demirel, 22-Hamit Altintop, 13-Emre Gungor (15-Emre Asik 63), Servet Cetin 2-, 3-Hakan Balta, 17-Tuncay Sanli, 6-Mehmet Topal (18 Kazim Kazim-57) , 7-Mehmet Aurelio, 14-Arda Turan, and 9 Semih Senturk (20-Sabri Sarioglu 46), 8-Nihat Kahveci

Czech Republic: 1-Petr Cech; 2-Zdenek Grygera, 21-Tomas Ujfalusi, 22-David Rozehnal, 6-Marek Jankulovski; 7-Libor Sionko (11-Stanislav Vlcek 84), 3-Jan Polak, 17-Marek Matejovsky ( 14-David Jarolim 39), 4-Tomas Galasek, 20-Jaroslav Plasil (13-Michal Kadlec 80), 9-Jan Koller