In a dramatic quarter final match of Euro 2008, Turkey defeated Croatia in penalty shoot out 3-1 after the 120-minute action ended in a 1-1 draw. After dominating throughout the match, Croatia surrendered to ‘Come-back’ side Turkey. Fatih Terim’s side continued their come-back action in this match as well. With this victory, Turkey has gone through to the semi final of Euro 2008 and they will face Germany in the semi final on 25 June 2008 at the St. Jakob-Park, Basel.
From the very beginning of the match, Croatia was superb and created more chances than their opponent. Croatia was more attacking in the match. In the 19th minute of the match you Croatia hit the cross bar, which can be said to be one of the worst miss in the tournament and there were some other clear chances in the match for Croatia. However, Turkish goal keeper Rustu Recber was excellent and denied a number of clear chances of Croatia, but it is also true that the goal keeper has to take the responsibility of the goal Turkey conceded in the penultimate minute of the extra time. The match was goal less in the first 90 minutes with Croatia creating many chances, while Turkey defended well, and created a few chances throughout the match.
In the 119th minute, Croatia got the first goal of the match thanks to Ivan Klasnic and with that goal it seemed to be the end of Turkish fable in the tournament. However, more drama was still left in the match as Turkey once again came back magnificently in a crucial match through an injury time goal from substitute Semih Senturk. The goal stunned the already-celebrating Croats and brought them on the ground. You know that in the previous two matches, Turkey came back excellently in the penultimate minutes of the match.
Then in the penalty shoot out Turkey won the match 3-1. Croatia’s Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic missed their shots sending the ball wide the post and Mladen Petric’s shot was successfully blocked by the Turkey goal keeper that ensured their victory. The only goal for Croatia in the penalty shoot out came from Srna. Turkey, on the other hand, got goals from the first three shots thanks to Turan, Sentürk and Altintop. Turkish goal keeper Rustu Recber who was responsible for the Croatia’s goal in the extra time, turned into hero from villain in the end. Croatia was really bad luck that they could not make it to their second semi final in a major football tournament since they reached the semi final of 1998 FIFA World Cup. However, it would not be fair if you do not give the accolade Turkey deserves for their mental strength and the ability to come back at any moment in the match. Even if Turkey can not progress to the final, this Turkey team will be remembered for a long time only because of their excellent come-back abilities that they showed in the last three matches in the tournament.
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AFP
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