Like a stick through the heart.
Thursday, June 26th, 2008Written by Angela Asante.
“There will be no miracle” said the coach of Turkey… and there has been NO miracle for his team!
Turkish fans might feel it’s hard to accept that their team has not made it to the final in Vienna.
Going into the game, the Reds were ravaged by injuries and suspension. Their team counted only 13 available players to face in-form Germany.
Most soccer analyst had predicted that Joachim Low’s side would “easily” pass the test and qualify to the ultimate stage.
But Germany was stunned when Turkey opened the scoring in the first half. They played with determination and dominated the game. However, almost out of nowhere, Germany found their way back as Schweinsteiger scored to provide his side a precious equalizer.
75 minutes had run down the clock and it was still 1 – 1. Turkey could have converted two or three shots into goals but keeper Jens Lehman was alert enough to make excellent saves.
Instead, it was the Germans who took the lead at the 79th minute when P. Lahm’s cross found Klose’s head who fired the ball past Rustu.
Turkey was desperate for another comeback.
And indeed, they had it: Sabri tapped the ball across the line from close range for the match to be all square. Germans fans could not believe it that point and suddenly, the red crowd came alive… but not for too long.
At the 90th minute, defender P. Lahm stepped in the penalty area and brilliantly scored the game’s fifth goal. 3 – 2 to Germany and the Turkish just couldn’t find another miraculous touch: an injury time free-kick was virtually their last chance of survival but the ball went well wide.
Certainly, the Germans did not deserve their victory. For Turkey, Lahm’s goal was questionable because the referee let the game continue though one of their players was injured on the ground.
Well, the Turkish have been brave throughout the tournament and their fans can certainly be proud of their heroes’ performance: these gentlemen have proved to the whole world what soccer is indeed about; but this time, luck wasn’t on their side.
Germany will face either Russia or Spain in Sunday’s final.
Angela Asante
Euro2008TV Writer
The fact is that the Turkish don’t let things happen, they make them happen. They’ve got luck on their side and the willingness of fighting until their very last breath..jpg)
The Euro 2008 started off with a beautifuly. A lovely opening ceremony. A Switzerland loss to the Czech Republic and Portugal win over Turkey. These results were expected, however it can be argued that Switzerland deserved a better result with their display over the 90 minutes.
