Wednesday, June 25, 2008

"Germany 3-2 Turkey: Late heartbreak for Turks"

Philip Lahm one minute the 90th winner as Germany claimed the first final berth at Euro 2008 as the struggle of Turkey's implementation of fairies finally came to an end at St Jakob-Park in Basle.

A much weakened Turkey side had dominated the first half, but only at half-hour after Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany had cancelled out the opener Ugur Boral.

The second half was a more even contest and hopes to be extra time after Germany striker Miroslav Klose and Semih Senturk of Turkey had each scored in the final 11 minutes.

But there was still time to crush Lahm house as the winner of European champions three times - twice as West Germany in 1972 and 1980 - reached the final, where they will meet either Spain or Russia.

Turkey, playing in its first Euro semi-final, had captured the imagination of neutrality back on the scene after remarkable victories in their last three matches, but with a team ravaged by injuries and suspensions a first appearance is always a tough final ask.

Despite that, although the Turkish side makeshift even faster from the blocks, with Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann need to be alert to the efforts of Colin Kazim-Richards and Hamit Altintop in the first 10 minutes.

Turkey then hit the wood in 13 minutes across London born Kazim-Richards, whose rising shot crashed against the top of the crossbar from 12 yards out after Ayhan Akman's Cut-back.

The German defence was all at sea in the opening stages, while there was little to encourage Joachim Low part in the future either as Turkey Boss procedure.

Therefore, it was not unexpected when Turkey took a deserved lead on 22 minutes through Ugur Boral.

The opportunity came after Kazim-Richards had beaten Germany crossbar for the second time - this time with an effort that wrapped up in the air and at the bar - Boral and slotted home the rebound, despite Lehmann's best efforts in line.

Of Turkey's joy was short-lived though, as Germany equalised with his first opportunity of the match five minutes later through Schweinsteiger.

Lukas Podolski through a low cross from the left and Schweinsteiger dart in front of Mehmet Topal and with the outside of his right foot guided the ball across Recber Rustu and into the far corner of the net.

Opportunities were coming thick and fast at both ends with Semih header saved by Lehmann, who was then almost left red-faced by the deep Altintop free-kick, the former Arsenal goalkeeper misjudged and needed to dive backwards During the peak.

Podolski then wasted a good opportunity for Germany when he was put clean through Thomas Hitzlsperger, only for the Bayern Munich man in the course of fire with only Rustu to beat.

Turkey scorer Boral chopped the knuckles of Lehmann with a free-kick before Sabri Sarioglu fired just over the distance as underdogs finished the first half just as it began - in total control.

At the beginning of the second half Germany could have had a dream began Swiss referee Massimo Busacca whistled for a flagrant failure to Lahm.

There was little doubt it was a foul and the only question was whether Turkey was within the zone or not - but the official gave nothing.

The match was even more in the second half with both defences looking far less charitable to the opening period.

The ever-threatening Boral fired a shot on rare Lehmann in the 71 st minutes before former Aston Villa midfielder Hitzlsperger saw his effort go left leg just wide at the top.

Germany took the lead through Klose on 79 minutes. Rustu expected favorite to go out and claim Lahm lofted cross into the area, but Klose beat both the goalkeeper and Topal the ball to send a header glance unattended on a network.

That might have explained the end of the hopes somewhere, but Turkey has shown a stubborn opponent in the three previous matches and, surprisingly, they managed to net another late goal.

Sabri sent over a low cross and Semih managed to overlook the ball past Lehmann for his near post.

That is not the end of drama despite the fact that Germany showed its determination of compensation in the last oh winner over Bayern Munich full-back Lahm, who raced into the area before being elected by Hitzlsperger and maintained his composure to fire in past Rustu near the top.

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