The third last match of the UEFA Euro 2008 saw Germany take on Turkey in the first semi final. The former haven`t made this stage since they went all the way in 1996 while for the later, it is their first appearance in a semi final at a euro.
Faith Terim`s sdie were almost cursed if you may. They had only 13 players available for selection. The rest were out through suspension or injury.
For Jorgen Low, who was back on the touchline after serving his ban, had a full squad, though Frings was a doubt because of a cracked rib.
Turkey started the game brighter and could have gone in front in the 13th minute. Ayhan Akman played the ball back for Kazim Kazim and the London born turk`s powerful shot hit the underside of the crossbar after beating the keeper. German hearts would have surely skipped a beat there.
The Fenerbarce striker was unlucky again as he hit the woodwork another time. A cross from the right flank was hit by Kazim Kazim towords the far side of the goal and it rebounded off the bar. But this time his team were lucky as the ball fell to Ugur and he scored placing the ball between the feet of Jens Leahmann. The first goal in regulation time for over a 185 minutes.
Turkey have not held a lead for longer than 9 minutes in this tournament and this one lasted only 4. A run down the left flank from Lukas Podolski was followed by a cross from. Bastian Schweinsteiger, who made another late run into the area, finished it easily from the edge of the second six yard area. 1-1.
Podolski had a chance of his own when he ran down the left on a counter attack for almost half the pitch, but his shot went just over the bar.
Altintop's in swinging free kick from a long way out was meant to be death with ease from Germany`s former Arsenal keeper but he fumbled and only managed a finger tip save to send it over the crossbar.
Altintop looked to latch onto a pass into the German area but right back Friedrich intervenes just in time. And then Sabri Sarioglu cracks a right-footer just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
One goal a piece at half time. Turkey were certainly the better side and it was all to play for in the second half and possibly extra time, for the fourth game in a row.
The second half started with Germany having a penalty shout within the first 5 minutes. Lahm, who scored the first goal of the world cup 2 years ago, got into the box under pressure from 2 defenders and went down from what looked like a challenge from Sabri. The refree waved play on but replays showed that it was a foul, but just outside the area. Poor decision from the man in the center.
Thomas Hitzlsperger could have sent his side into the lead but his right footed shot went just over the bar.
With 11 minutes of normal time remaining, a long diagonal cross from Lahm was headed in by Miroslav Klose as the keeper Rustu tried to come out and get it. The Bayren striker`s first goal in a european championship and Germany go 2-1 up.
Turkey have being the kings of late comebacks and have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in their last 3 matches. But this time nobody gave them a chance.
And how wrong they were. A low cross from sabri from the edge of the area was played to Semih who put the ball into the net from the little space between the keeper and post. Lehmaann stood waiting for the ball to come to him but Semih had other plans. Poor goal keeping and the score tied up all over again. 2-2.
Faith Terim`s men can surely take the lead, but they do not know how to hold onto it. And that was prouved one more time.
Phillip Lahm ran down the left channel and passed the ball before making a run into the area. He got a brilliant pass in and put the return ball into the top conner on the near post beyond the reach of the advancing Rustu. A wonderful goal in the last minute of regulation time.
Germany would have to be alert for the remaining 4 minutes of stopage time and they did. They finally won a exciting and epic semi final 3-2 in a game that no one would dare to predict. Germany into the final, and they await the winners of Russia
and Spain. As for Turkey, they can go home with their heads held high after an outstanding tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment