TURKISH GOALKEEPER VOLKAN BANNED FOR TWO GAMES

Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was banned for two matches Wednesday after being sent off against the Czech Republic last week at the European Championship.

Demirel will miss the quarterfinal game against Croatia on Friday at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The goalkeeper was sent off in the final minute of Turkey's 3-2 win in Group A on Sunday in Geneva for knocking down striker Jan Koller. He then sat on the team's bench in breach of FIFA rules.

The Turkish football federation was also fined 44,000 Swiss francs (€27,000; US$42,000) for improper conduct of its fans, players and officials.

"The sanction of the 44,000 (fine) and the two-match suspension for the Turkey goalkeeper was linked to the fact that after getting a red card, he sat on the bench when he was supposed to be out of the technical area," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said. "And we had some problems with some Turkish fans trying to enter the pitch, and also the presence of about 25 unaccredited people after the game in the Turkish dressing room."

Demirel and the federation have 24 hours to appeal the ban and fine.

TUMER METIN BACK BUT SERVET &EMRE QUESTIONABLE

Turkey midfielder Tumer Metin, who missed the dramatic 3-2 win over Czech Republic with a groin strain, resumed light training on Tuesday.

The slim possibility of Tumer's return for the quarter-final against Croatia in Vienna on Friday gave a boost to coach Fatih Terim whose team has been hit with injuries and suspensions.


'There is a tiny chance that Tumer will be fit, but I think he will probably miss the game,' said a team spokesman who on Monday told reporters Tumer would definitely miss the game.

However, captain Emre Belozoglu, who has a hamstring problem, and Servet Cetin did miss training in Krems.

'Both are still doubtful for the quarter-final and we don't know if they'll be able to make training tomorrow,' said the spokesman. The players were at the hotel having physiotherapy.

Emre Gungor, who was carried off in the second half of Sunday's thrilling Group A victory over the Czechs, has a calf strain and will miss the rest of the finals.

To add to Turkey's woes, goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is out of the quarter-final after being sent off for shoving forward Jan Koller in an off-the-ball incident in injury time.

Defensive midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament.

Source :Reuters

DOES FATIH TERIM NEED A BODY GUARD?

Fatih Terim, head coach of the national soccer team of Turkey, center, is escorted by his body guard, right, as he leaves a hotel following a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, June 16, 2008. Turkey is in group A at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland.
(AP Photo)

PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW...IT IS IMPORTANT.....

TURKISH MEDIA GOES OVERBOARD WITH THE WIN

Turkish newspapers on Monday held little back in celebrating the Turkish national team's dramatic 3-2 victory over the Czech Republic at Euro 2008. "We kiss you for what you have taken," read the main headline of Hurriyet, Turkey's biggest selling newspaper.

"Turkey is drunk on victory... Again we have made it to Vienna" the paper said, referring to the site of its quarterfinal against Croatia and the 1529 Ottoman siege of Vienna.

Turkey rallied from 2-0 down to win the group A game in Geneva in the final 15 minutes.

"Check out", read the headline in Yeni Safak, one of many newspapers to play on the English and Turkish double meanings.

"The emperor's magic", Sabah newspaper said, referring to the nickname Turkish newspapers use for coach Fatih Terim.

Sabah said the victory was the most important in Terim's career, adding that he had been under severe pressure from football writers who had criticised his tactics in previous matches.

INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS WILL BE PROBLEM

Turkey might be through to the quarter-finals at the European Football Championship but the team is not in great shape for their first playoff match against Croatia.

After amazing come from behind win over the Czech Republic in their final pool match yesterday, Turkey have seven players injured or suspended ahead of Saturday's quarter-final.

The central defender Emre Gungor might miss the rest of the championship because of a calf muscle injury, and their goalkeeper Volkan Demirel will miss the Croatia match after being sent off yesterday.

WE HAVE LOST DR.RENAN TURKMAN

http://www.rit.edu/kgcoe/ue/renan.php

Dear Friends, Sunday was first a joy with Turkish National team for me but, that joy turned around with a sad call, I received, from the nursing home, that Dr. Turkman was staying.

After five hours of battle , around 11:17 PM,ET. He said good bye to us.

Dr. Renan Turkman passed away. while the sky actually was crying with thundering while I was holding his hand...God bless Him.....Turkey And Humanity lost a great thinker and teacher...

I will miss him!......

He was my Best Friend......and he was Fenerbahce fan as "Kalamis Abi" on Antu.com Forums...

He was also ,member of the Fenerbahce soccer club.

'Turkey can go all the way to Euro final'

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said he wants his side to beat Croatia in Friday's Euro 2008 quarterfinal in Vienna and then go all the way to the final in the Austrian capital on June 29.

Turkey again showed why they are the come-back kings with a stunning late win over the Czech Republic on Sunday by turning a 2-0 deficit with 15 minutes left into a 3-2 win to reach the last eight as Group A runners-up.

Turkish captain Nihat Kahveci's brace with just minutes left in the winner-takes-all game booked a quarterfinal tie against Group B winners and Germany-slayers Croatia in Vienna.

And now Terim, wants to go all the way to the final.
"Croatia are a good side, they beat Germany, but we are a good team too and we will get better as each day passes," said Terim, whose side also stunned Switzerland last week 2-1 when they scored the winning goal in extra time.

"They have a young team, they play well, but as far as we are concerned we will go to Vienna and lets hope we stay there, it is winner takes all now.

"We respect all teams, but we fear no one."

Terim said his team's stunning late comeback against the Czechs was testament to their ability to fight until the end.

"I'm proud that I have players who know that the match ends with the referee's whistle," said the 54-year-old former AC Milan boss.

"We showed the whole world what kind of a team we are.

"We came here to play to the end. We're working to make that goal come true."

With the scores level on 2-2 with just over a minute remaining, the match looked set to be decided by an historic penalty shoot-out with both sides having identical records in the Group A table.

But Kahveci's winner sent Turkey into seventh heaven and broke Czech hearts.

"Just as we were preparing for penalty kicks I signalled to score a third goal if the chance came up and it worked," said Terim.

"In my career, I never ever thought of giving up on a game.

"I am a person who never loses hope I have seen many things happen in the last minutes of game, that is the beauty of football.

"I am aware of what our team can do and I think our team likes dramatic finishes, lets hope we can win matches a little sooner next time."<