A GreaT ComeBacK !! AGAIN !!

I was taking a break from the frustration of life by watching the EURO 2008 quarterfinals match, Croatia vs Turkey, and it was a really GREAT game. Those that missed the match should definitely watch it. Turkey has been given the title COMEBACK KINGS/KIDS/WATEVER ULIKE because of their never say die attitude. Imagine this happening to your team when you are playing football or also called soccer in someplaces.

The game is at the 2nd Half of extra time and your oppenent just scored a goal in the several last minute, the whole opponents team had already started celebrating by running here and there, although the coach is saying to stay focus to his players, what would your or any team normally do ? Most teams that i know of would have given up and let their opponent have their sweet victory.

However, Turkey had shown a great determination to comeback. Turkey substitute, Semih Şentürk, scored the equaliser just minutes after the Croatia goal and forced a penalty shootout. Croatia kicker was off target in the penalty shootout and that was costly when Turkey goalkeeper was on top form when he, Rüştü, blocked the last penalty kick from Mladen Petrić to ensure Turkey's place in the semi-finals and will be going against Germany.

Will Turkey be able to win the semi finals or will Germany at last crush Turkey hopes of winning the EURO 2008.

For a better report here are some clippings from euro2008.uefa.com :

Turkey are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time at Croatia's expense after a thrilling match in Vienna was decided on penalties after the two sides had swapped goals in the final minute of extra time.

Sensational comeback
When Ivan Klasnić headed in Luka Modrić's cross with a minute of the extra period to play Croatia looked to have booked their place in Wednesday's semi-final against Germany, but for the third game in a row Turkey sensationally hit back in added time to force a shoot-out when Semih Şentürk drove in from the edge of the area. They went on to win 3-1 on penalties after Rüştü Reçber saved Mladen Petrić's kick following earlier misses from both Modrić and Darijo Srna. Turkey coach Fatih Terim, though, will struggle to get a side together to play Germany with Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan all suspended along with Volkan Demirel after picking up bookings here.

Nervy start
Turkey coach Terim was without the suspended Volkan Demirel and Mehmet Aurélio, and with injuries also taking their toll he made four changes from the side that defeated the Czech Republic to dramatically to reach the quarter-finals. The 35-year-old Rüştü, who had played against Croatia coach Slaven Bilić at EURO '96™, started in goal, while Bilić reverted to the side that had beaten Germany en route to topping Group B. With so much at stake both sets of players made nervy starts. On five minutes Turkey right-back Sabri Sarıoğlu's misplaced pass allowed Ivan Rakitić to dart to the byline and he pulled the ball back for Srna whose shot was blocked by Hakan Balta. It was a portent of things to come as Croatia probed with success down both flanks with Terim's reshuffled back line struggling to cope with their slick passing.

Olić denied
For Turkey, Hamit Altıntop flashed an early shot wide and Robert Kovač bravely blocked his free-kick soon after, but Croatia were soon in the ascendancy and they should have gone ahead on 18 minutes. Croatia fans had descended on Vienna en masse during a baking hot day and they roared as one when Modrić raced clear on the right. His low cross picked out Ivica Olić who crashed a shot off the crossbar before Niko Kranjčar headed the rebound over. Just as against Austria, Croatia lost their way when it looked like they were ready to take a stranglehold on the game. Turkey began to enjoy more of the possession and though chances were few, Mehmet Topal drew a gasp from the crowd with a 30-metre drive that just whistled wide.

Rüştü saves
The traffic was soon flowing back towards Rüştü with Croatia almost gifted a goal four minutes after the restart. Gökhan Zan's weak header allowed Olić in and the veteran goalkeeper had to race off his line to get a finger to the striker's headed attempt. Rüştü saved from Kranjčar soon after and then, on 70 minutes, Rakitić shot over after a neat one-two with Olić had given him a clear sight of goal inside the penalty box. Knowing their side's propensity for late goals Turkey supporters grew in confidence as extra time loomed. But as the clocked ticked down Croatia again came close, Rüştü brilliantly tipping away Srna's curling free-kick on 83 minutes, then blocking from Olić.

Incredible climax
Having taken the game to added time Turkey began to show more adventure. Stipe Pletikosa did well to block after Emre Aşık had skipped through the Croatia defence and was then grateful to see Tuncay Şanlı's drive flash wide on 102 minutes. In an incredible climax, Klasnić would head Croatia in front in the final minute - capitalising on an error by Rüştü - only for Semih to hit back immediately with a deflected drive that flew past Pletikosa, leaving it to a shoot-out to finally tip the balance in Turkey's favour.

NEOLEECARBON OUT !!! CIAOZU !!!