UEFA has no problems if Terim want to play goalkeeper upfront

Europe's governing body UEFA said on Monday that they would have no problems if Turkey fielded one of their goalkeepers upfront at Euro 2008. Turkish coach Fatih Terim's squad has been decimated by injuries and suspensions and he could potentially have just 14 players, including two goalkeepers, available for Wednesday's semi-final clash against Germany.

Terim had earlier said that he might be forced to use third-choice goalkeeper Tolgan Zengin outside.

"He could come on towards the end as a sub as last man in defence or as centre forward."

UEFA official William Gaillard told a press briefing on Monday that the organization had no problems if Terim wanted to use a goalkeeper as an outfielder.

"A player can play in any position. In fact, Turkey used striker Tuncay Sanli in goal against the Czech Republic after Volkan Demirel had been sent off."

Turkey will be without Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan, Volkan Demirel and Emre Asik who are suspended, while Emre Gungor and Nihat Kahveci will not be available because of an injury.

Several other players were also ruled out of the quarter-final against Croatia through injury and there must be some doubts about the availability of Servet Cetin, Emre Belozoglu, Tumer Metin and Ayhan Akman for the semi-final clash.

UEFA had earlier said that Turkey would not be allowed to call up any replacements.

"You can't replace any players after the first game of the tournament has been played," Gaillard said.

Source:Wires

FATIH TERIM: "WE COULD BEAT ANBODY!..."

HAVING watched his team come from behind for the third time at Euro08, Turkish coach Fatih Terim is hoping that the semi-final against Germany on Thursday morning will be less dramatic but just as successful.

It took a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Semih Senturk to send the quarter-final against Croatia to penalty kicks yesterday morning.

Veteran goalkeeper Rustu Recber saved Mladen Petric's spot-kick for the Turks to win the ensuing penalty shoot-out 3-1 and complete their third rallying victory at Euro08.

Turkey came from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 and then scored two goals in the final three minutes to beat the Czech Republic 3-2.

'We seem to always come back - we do it the hard way and never the easy it, and that shows just how good a team we are,' Fatih said.

'We always come back and that's not easy to do. Let's hope that we can take the lead against Germany.'.

It will be a miracle if the Turks can pull off another upset against the Germans.

Decimated by injuries and suspensions, Fatih faces a race against time to patch up his weary soldiers for the semi-final against the Germans.

First-choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, handed a two-match ban after being sent off against the Czech Republic, is out, as are Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik.

The trio picked up their second yellow cards against Croatia.

Defender Emre Gungor is out of Euro08 after picking up a calf injury in the win over the Czech Republic.

Captain Nihat Kahveci left the pitch clutching his groin yesterday morning, so he's also a doubtful starter.

Hamit Altintop, who scored Turkey's winning penalty against Croatia, is relishing the prospect of taking on some of his Bayern Munich team-mates in the semi-final.

The Gelsenkirchen-born midfielder could face as many as five Bayern colleagues in Basel.

Given his insider knowledge, the 25-year-old will play a pivotal part in discussions as Fatih plots to undo Die Mannschaft.

'It's important that we rest first and then we can analyse Germany with our coach.

'We can beat anybody if we prepare ourselves properly. If we continue like this we shouldn't fear any team.'
Source: Wire Services

IS TURKEY FOR REAL OR CINDERELLA TEAM?.

THAT IS THE REAL QUESTION NOW, AFTER TURKEY, COMEBACK THIRD TIME IN THE TOURNAMENT ,AGAINST CROATIA IN THE LAST SECONDS OF THE MATCH!..

SOME ARE CALLING, "TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM "CINDERELLA TEAM OF THE EURO 2008!"....

EVEN ESPN SPORTS NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES PROMOTING GERMANY V TURKEY MATCH AS "DAVID AGAINST GOLIATH" GOLIATH BEING THE TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM!...


During the Sunday's match between Spain and Italy, ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth ,said Turkish National team has no chance against Germany!...

But than again same Tommy Smyth, said Turks were done after Croatia goal ....

"The main issue is the injuries and suspensions for Turkish National team"...

After losing against Portugal badly, beating Switzerland in the last second of the match a goal by Arda Turan’s powerful strike turn Turkish National teams fortune around and built the confidence that they need it.....

After that , we all now what happened!....

Another stunning finish against Czech Republic and against Croatia .....

Three times, comeback from behind, and going to play in the semi-finals of euro 2008

That is something!.....

Call it Miracle...
Call it Cinderella.....
Call it luck!......
Then again ..... . .
“There is something special about this team,” Terim said. “We seem to come back from the dead. We always do the hard thing, not the easy thing, which shows how good my team is. When you have players like this, you just don't lose.”

Or it is like Terim said " Hard work and passion "

I think, it is a little bit of luck and most of all it is great work by determination by our National players...

First, Kudos to them, than, give a credit to Terim and his gang!.....

Lastly, let me say this, Turkish National team made more noise than World Cup 2002 Tournament!...

Here is why....

Back in 2002 ESPN did show the matches but, it was in early hours in the morning like 3 or 5 in the morning....

This time it is on afternoon....

A lot of Soccer fans and American sport fans are watching the matches...

American viewers, coming to know Turkish soccer players like Arda Turan, Semih Senturk, Rustu Recber,Nihat,Tuncay Sanli,Hamit Altintop and the Keeper who has my son's name Volkan...and much much more names.....

Lastly, The coach of Turkish National Fatih Terim......

THEY ARE THE STARS OF TURKISH FOOTBALL(SOCCER ) IN THIS TOURNAMENT.....

Nihat out of Euro 2008!....

Turkish National Team striker Nihat Kahveci will miss the rest of Euro 2008 with a thigh injury, the Turkish Football(soccer) Federation has confirmed.

Nihat injured his thigh just minutes before the end of the game in Friday's penalty shoot-out win over Croatia in Vienna.

The 28-year-old made a name for himself when he scored twice late on in Turkey's remarkable comeback win over the Czech Republic which saw them qualify from Group A.

Turkish National Team have been crippled by injuries and suspension, with nine first choice players unavailable for the semi-final against Germany.

Coach Fatih Terim is so short of options, he has said he might be forced to ask reserve keeper Tolgan Zengin to play outfield.

TURKEY CRISIS FOR UEFA!...

Uefa could be forced into an emergency meeting if Turkey's injury crisis worsens ahead of Wednesday's semi-final final with Germany in Basle.

Coach Fatih Terim had only 15 outfield players for their quarter-final win over Croatia - and three of those will be suspended for the German clash.

Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said: "If a team had eight players, for instance, a meeting would be called."

TERIM WAITS ON TEAM SELECTION AGAINST GERMANY

Turkish National Team coach Fatih Terim faces an anxious wait to see what sort of team he will be able to put out in their Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany with injuries and suspensions decimating his squad.

Terim went into Friday´s quarter-final against Croatia in Vienna with just 15 outfield players and with eight of his starting XI on a yellow card, and three of those eight - Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik - duly picked up bookings during the match and will be suspended for Wednesday´s semi, while captain and talisman Nihat Kahveci is doubtful (suspected groin injury).

"I haven´t been able to do any damage assessment yet and I have to go back to hotel and see what damage there is to the team," said Terim following his side´s penalty shoot-out victory. "We have injured players and suspended players, so we will have to see about all that."

Turkey vs. Croatia - Full Highlights - Euro 2008