After taking part in Turkeys amazing run to the semi finals of Euro 2008, Tuncay`s dream of lining up against the Germans has disappeared due to a booking picked up in the dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Croatia.
The game itself was another dull affair until extra time where, once again, Turkey came to life. Croatia always looked in control and really should have had the game sewn up long before the ninety minutes with poor finishing letting them down. As they did against the Czech Republic, Turkey produced some great football before Klasnic`s header for Croatia made it 1-0 with one minute remaining but the Turkish team defied everyone in the stadium by equalising with Semih Şentürk scoring with the last kick of the game to take the game to penalties.
In fairness the penalties were not the best. Even if Tuncay had been in goal Turkey would have still progressed through as Croatia failed to hit the target with two of their first three penalties to send the Turks through and leave Tuncay with mixed emotions on the night.
With a depleted squad for the semi final, Tuncay`s dreams of a Euro 2008 final may not be over and as we have seen over the last few games, you can write Turkey off at your owm peril!
In the other games, Spain produced a fantastic performance to see off the Italians, with Boro target Marcus Senna having a fantastic game controlling the midfield and scoring in the shootout.
Anthony Ward
Share this article
Yeh, bad news for Tunny to pick up the booking. Turkey are running out of players every hour it seems and it is now 100 times tougher to beat the Germans than it was at the start.
It could be embarrassing for the Turks tonight. I hope not though!
Turkey out but put up a good fight. Deserved to goto extra time in my opinion, a good game.
I think that was turkeys best footballing performance of the tournament. Funny, because it was without a lot of their better starting players.
Kazim-Richards has impressed me a lot, i wouldnt sign him though.
Yes, good performance from the Turks………….Kazim is more of an impact player to me and wont do enough consistently in my opinion. However, it seems he is set for a move back over here because of his inability to speak Turkish. Maybe he will roll up in the Premierhsip with someone comes August – most likely to be a promoted side in my opinion.
I can see where hes coming from though, id rather play for Fenerbache than Bristol City no matter what the language 😉
Best team got beat, what England need is the luck of the Germans