A game of belief
With just 14 available players for Wednesday’s semi-final clash, Turkey manager Fatih Terim has precious few options as he picks his team to face Germany. Having held off the Czechs and Turks to claim a surprise place in the last four, will a desperately stretched Turkish side manage to defy ill-luck? Or will the repeated injuries and suspensions dent Turkey’s team spirit and belief?
Turkey to rely on belief ahead of uphill struggle
Wednesday’s semi-final against Germany is looking increasingly like an uphill struggle for Turkish Coach Fatih Terim. What with injuries and suspensions, his team is effectively stretched to the bone.
The captains’ curse has struck once again. After the forced withdrawals of Vieira and Cannavaro, Turkey’s Nihat was the latest to pull out after sustaining a thigh injury in the game against Croatia. He joins Güngor, Servet, Emre and Tumer Metin in a crowded infirmary.
The list of suspended players is only mildly shorter. Volkan, Tunçay, Arda and Asik will have to bite their lips as they watch their teammates from the stands. UEFA Monday turned down Turkish pleas to lift the suspension on Volkan, while also denying coach Terim a chance to call up a new player from home. The verdict overturned a decision taken at Euro 96, when UEFA exceptionally authorized one team to call up an additional player due to its spiralling injury list. Ironically, the team in question was none other than Germany!
With the situation now critical, the pundits are wondering what the Turkish manager will do. Will he play the convalescent Tumer Mertin? And with just two field players on the bench, will he call on the third-choice goalkeeper Tolga to play in a different position? Yet, let us not forget that the principal strength of this Turkish side is the sheer desire it has displayed. Its players have proved to be tireless toilers, fighting over every ball to the very last, and carrying their national colours with pride. So beware Germany – tears are yet to dry on Czech and Croat cheeks...
"Fatih Terim is in real trouble before this game"
Our Turkish observer, Mehmet Anik, gives us his point of view ahead of the game.
Turkish football supporters all talk about this problem.
Fatih Terim told a newspaper Tolga Zengin can play in the midfield.
But Tolga Zengin is the third goalkeeper, and this shows in just how much trouble Fatih Terim is before the match, I hope he has a good plan.
According to Turkish papers, he is going to pick 11 golden players who are going to do well. In the trainings, we could see that players were not going for one-on-one duels, because there are no more resources. A lot of the players who are going to play tomorrow have not played in EURO 2008 before; and that can be a drawback, because of nervousness.
The Turkish team and the rest of the Turks in the world are vary unhappy with the situation. Fatih Terim wanted to call new players, but UEFA turned him down.
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Comments
Nicolas F24, what is this
Submitted by chad (not verified) on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 16:28.Nicolas F24, what is this picture now? didn't you have a better picture to put on the top of the page?
Unregistered user
Picture
Submitted by Nicolas F24 on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 16:44.Hello chad,
At first this article was meant to be about how difficult it would be for Turkey to play this semi final with so many players injured or suspended.
I tried to find a picture of Nihat injured to illustrate that fact, since in my opinion he's the true hero of this team. But I couldn't find any obvious one. So I decided to take the one showing the other key Turkish player of the team, Volkan, who will be suspended for his second game after taking a red card against Czech Republic.
I also liked that one because it shows Asik with a head bandage, which illustrates the fact that a lot of Turkish players are injured (even if Asik won't be plyaing against germany not because he is wounded but because he is suspended.)
I hope this clarifies the choice of that picture a bit! No offense meant. Or were you talking about my picture ? :)
Nicolas F24
Eufa decision on Turkish replacement plea
Submitted by Tom Kaman (not verified) on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 15:50.EUFA can be considered morally bankrupt and lily livered after their decision not to allow Turkey to call up replacement(s).
Having set a precedent in the 1996 tournament allowing Germany to send for re-enforcements, and not knowing of any constitutional change thereafter, one can only assume it would be an embarrassment to the powers that be, were the Turks to win.
Although it's no consolation, Fatih Terim can take heart in the fact that an under strength Czech Republic team defeated Germany in this very competition, in 2004. Furthermore, the whole essence of the last two major tournament winners was largely due to triumph over adversity, although for very different reasons.
I for one will hope that this Turkish adventure continues, but once again it may be through penalties.
Forget those football pundits who laud purist principles, had they been right in their assessment, then it would be surely be a Netherlands-Portugal final.
No, this is infinitely more interesting. If the football God's are kind, then change the Hors D’oeuvres! We can look forward to some Beluga caviar, or quite possibly indulge in some Lokum. Bonne Chance.
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