FATIH TERIM IS LEAVING THE TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said he would probably step down after his side were beaten 3-2 by a last-minute German goal in the first Euro 2008 semi-final Wednesday in Basle. Terim hailed his side's performance but said he would now "most probably" quit as national team coach, once he had spoken to the players and the football federation's president.

"I hope anyone who comes after me will do well," he said.

He indicated he would like to return to club management outside Turkey.

"I had declared earlier I would not be working in Turkey," he said.

"I am a man who keeps my promises, so I will most probably go back to a European country. But it would not be proper for me to say more details about this before having spoken with the president of the federation."

Turkey were beaten by a 90th-minute Philipp Lahm goal, after they had taken the lead, then come from behind to equalize at 2-2 through Semih Senturk in the 86th minute.

"I congratulate Germany for their win, and I wish them success in the final, but I am proud of my players," Terim said.

"I think they wanted to play well. They were able to show the world what a good team they are. I am very proud of them. It was important for me all my life to have players who enjoy playing. Perhaps we didn't play well during the whole tournament, but we played well today."

Terim went into the match without four suspended players and several injured. The coach said he did not want to use the absences as an excuse, but added: "We have to discuss the yellow cards" given to Turkey during the tournament.

He said: "Germany are a good team. They are serious opponents. Whatever I say now after the game is too late. The analysis should be made by the press.

"I think we were the side that played better. And it is not easy to face an opponent like Germany. I am happy that everyone could see good football being played out there today."

Terim said he hoped Turkey's success at Euro 2008 would be continued at future major tournaments.

"Football is a very important sector in Turkey. Seventy million people and their hearts were beating with the players today," he said.

"A team like Turkey must be in tournaments like this. It is important to be here. I believe in the future, too."

This Time Lucky Germany beat Turkey to reach Euro final

Defender Philipp Lahm scored a 90th minute winner to give Germany a thrilling 3-2 victory over Turkey and a place in the Euro 2008 final.

A header from Germany's Miroslav Klose 11 minutes from time looked to have sealed a 2-1 victory, only for Semih Senturk to level for Turkey in the 86th minute in what seemed set to be another escape act by Fatih Terim's men.

But Lahm snatched victory for Germany with a curling shot into the top corner at St Jakob Park.

Goals from Turkey's Ugur Boral and Bastian Schweinsteiger in an absorbing first half had left the game evenly poised.

Turkey had reached their first European championship semi-final thanks to last-gasp goals in the group game with the Czechs and the quarter-final against Croatia but in Basel they were on their game from the off.

Terim's side started much better than their more illustrious opponents, despite missing four players through suspension and having a raft of others injured.

They scored the opener in a match for the first time in the tournament after 22 minutes.

Left midfielder Ugur, who was a threat all night, scuffed the ball through goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's legs after a looping effort from Kazim Kazim came back off the bar.

Turkey deserved their lead having already come close when Kazim rattled the woodwork with a shot and impressive playmaker Hamit Altintop was denied following a Lahm mistake.

Germany equalised against the run of play on 26 minutes when midfielder Schweinsteiger cleverly flicked in a cross from Lukas Podolski in one of their first real attacks.

Podolski later shot wide when in a good position but generally the three-times European champions were lacklustre and consistently lost the midfield battles.

The second half started off less thrilling than the first with Germany having a penalty shout turned down after Lahm was felled on the edge of the area and Thomas Hitzlsperger whistling an effort just past the post.

But the late goal rush made for a pulsating finish, a day before Spain meet Russia in the second semi-final in Vienna on Thursday.

Germany 3 - 2 Turkey Highlights

Germany 3 - 2 Turkey Highlights

GERMANY V TURKEY MATCH WILL BE ON ESPN TV, LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.....

GERMANY V TURKEY MATCH WILL BE ON ESPN TV, LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.....

YOU COULD ALSO WATCH THE MATCH LIVE ON THE INTERNET ON ESPN360.COM LIVE....

GERMANY V TURKEY LIVE GAMECAST.....(14:45 ET

FATIH TERIM: WE DON'T NEED A MIRACLE AGAINST GERMANY

We can beat Germany in their Euro 2008 semi-final on Wednesday without needing a miracle, coach Fatih Terim said.

"As far as I know there are three results you can get in football, there is no result called 'miracle' in football," he told a news conference on Tuesday.

"I don't think there is anything impossible. I laugh at those who say it is luck or a miracle."

Fatih Terim said the only miracle was his troubled country coming together thanks to his team's success.

"In our country we have many crises and people who are not tolerant. But when the topic is football it unites people. Everyone seems to have united under the Turkish flag," he said.

"If you are looking for a miracle, that is the miracle. Everyone for just a few weeks has been able to forget their worries."

If Turkey go through, he said he did not care whether they faced Spain or Russia in Sunday's final. The pair meet in their semi-final in Vienna on Thursday.

A triumph over Germany in their first European Championship semi-final would be even more remarkable given Turkey's raft of injuries and suspensions. However, Fatih Terim does not want the term miracle being used.

Emre ruled out of semi-final
Emre Belozoglu is still unfit and will not play in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany, coach Fatih Terim said.

"With Emre, it's impossible for him to play," the coach told a news conference on Tuesday, adding that midfielder Tumer Metin, who has a groin strain, may be able to play for the last 30 minutes.

Turkey have goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, defender Emre Asik and midfielders Arda Turan and Tuncay Sanli suspended for Wednesday while injured striker Nihat Kahveci is out of the tournament alongside Emre Gungor.

Defender Servet Cetin is almost certain to miss the semi-final with a knee problem.

Fatih Terim joked during the week that third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin might have to play as an outfield player given their woes.

"It was a joke but people took it seriously. It was just a joke to show we had many injured and suspended players," he said on Tuesday.

"Nihat is one of the best strikers in Europe. But I think we just have to look forward and accept the facts as they are. The players that replace the injured and suspended ones will do just as well. We are not looking for excuses."

Espn's Tommy Smtyh " Germany would want a little turkey on their plate"

Turkish National Team squad that is left!....

Turkey squad ahead of the Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany in Basel.

Rustu Recber (Besiktas). Goalkeeper. Born: 10.5.73 Caps: 117

Tournament appearances: 1. Goals conceded: 1. Yellow cards: 0

The 35-year-old is back in the limelight after Volkan Demirel's suspension and although he was partly to blame for Croatia's goal in the 1-1 quarter-final draw, a save in the shootout took the Turks through. His outstanding performances at the 2002 World Cup played a key role in Turkey reaching the semi-finals but his form has dipped since.

Tolga Zengin (Trabzonspor). Born 10.10.83. Caps: 2

Tournament appearances: 0. Goals conceded: 0. Yellow cards: 0

The 24-year-old third choice keeper from the Black Sea region could end up being used as an outfield player given Turkey's injury and suspension woes.

Servet Cetin (Galatasaray). Defender. Born: 17.3.81. Caps: 32 Goals: 1

Tournament appearances: 3. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

The tall centre back is very doubtful for the semi-final because of a knee injury. His height was a valuable asset in dealing with the aerial threat in the three group games but he missed the quarter-final against Croatia.

Gokhan Zan (Besiktas). Defender. Born: 7.9.81. Caps: 21 Goals: 0

Tournament appearances: 2. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

Injured his knee in the first group game against Portugal when he was often badly exposed in the 2-0 defeat. Croatia also ran him ragged at times in the quarter-final.

Hakan Balta (Galatasaray). Defender. Born: 23.3.83. Caps: 12 Goals: 1

Tournament appearances: 4. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

Born in Berlin, the left back will be in the spotlight for the semi-final. Has played well in all four games so far.

Sabri Sarioglu (Galatasaray). Defender. Born 26.7.84. Caps: 16. Goals: 1

Tournament appearances: 3. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

The pacy player can play in midfield and at right back but was largely anonymous in the quarter-final against Croatia.

Ugur Boral (Fenerbahce). Defender. Born 14.4.82. Caps: 9 Goals: 0

Tournament appearances: 1. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

The left back did not feature in qualifying for Euro 2008 but looks poised to be more involved in the semi-final with the Turks hampered by injuries and suspension. Sat a university entrance exam during the tournament.

Hamit Altintop (Bayern Munich). Midfielder. Born: 8.12.82. Caps: 46 Goals: 2

Tournament appearances: 4. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

Hamit, whose surname means 'golden ball', is the fulcrum of the team and frustrates markers by drifting between attack and midfield. Had a lot of the ball in the quarter-final against Croatia but did little with it.

Mehmet Aurelio (Fenerbahce). Midfielder. Born: 15.12.77. Caps: 22 Goals: 1

Tournament appearances: 3. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 2

Back in contention after being banned for the quarter-final. Born Marco Aurelio in Rio de Janeiro, he became a Turkish citizen in 2006 and took the name Mehmet. He became the first naturalised player to be capped in August 2006.

Emre Belozoglu (Newcastle United/Fenerbahce). Midfielder. Born: 7.9.80. Caps: 57 Goals: 4

Tournament appearances: 1. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

The injured captain is rated as 50/50 to face Germany after tearing a hamstring. His influence is immense and Turkey will struggle for creativity if he does not recover in time.

Mehmet Topal (Galatasaray). Midfielder. Born: 3.3.86. Caps: 8 Goals: 0

Tournament appearances: 3. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder, nicknamed 'Spider' because of his long legs, nearly scored with a real scorcher against Croatia in the quarter-final.

Gokdeniz Karadeniz (Rubin Kazan). Midfielder. Born: 11.1.80. Caps: 48 Goals: 6

Tournament appearances: 2. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

The attacking midfielder has been ineffectual so far and will probably start on the bench despite Turkey's injury and suspension problems. He was banned from football for 10 months in 2005 over a betting scandal.

Ayhan Akman (Galatasaray). Midfielder. Born 23.2.77. Caps: 10. Goals: 1

Tournament appearances: 0. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

Can play in a variety of roles in midfield but has yet to feature at the finals.

Tumer Metin (Fenerbahce/Larissa). Midfielder. Born: 14.10.74. Caps: 24 Goals: 7

Tournament appearances: 1. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

A groin injury looks likely to rule him out against Germany. Has chipped in with some important goals for his country.

Semih Senturk (Fenerbahce). Forward. Born: 29.4.83. Caps: 8 Goals: 3

Tournament appearances: 4. Goals: 2. Yellow cards: 0

The 25-year-old smashed in the deflected equaliser in extra time stoppage time against Croatia in the quarter-final. Top scorer in the domestic league this season but short of international experience, having only broken into the national team last November.

Kazim Kazim (Fenerbahce). Forward. Born 26.8.86. Caps: 6 Goals: 0

Tournament appearances: 4. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 1

Known as Kazim Kazim in Turkey, London-born Colin Kazim-Richards signed for Fenerbahce from English club Sheffield United last year. Has looked slightly out of his depth in the tournament so far but can conjure up a goal from nothing.

Mevlut Erdinc (Sochaux). Forward. Born: 25.2.87. Caps: 5 Goals: 0

Tournament appearances: 1. Goals: 0. Yellow cards: 0

The 21-year-old, who also holds French nationality and goes by the name Erding there, was Sochaux's top scorer last season. Yet to set Euro 2008 alight.

Defender Emre Asik, midfielder Arda Turan and forward Tuncay Sanli are suspended for the semi-final after picking up two yellow cards so far. Goalkeeper Volkan Demireal is serving the second game of a two-match ban after being shown a red card.

Striker Nihat Kahveci and defender Emre Gungor have been ruled out of the tournament through injury.