Rustu Recber has retired from international football after Turkey's narrow 3-2 defeat to Germany in the Euro 2008 semi-finals.
The 35-year-old quits with sad memories after his mistake allowed Miroslav Klose to head Germany in front with 11 minutes left in Basel.
Although Semih Senturk equalised, Philipp Lahm had Rustu picking the ball out of his net again in the final minute and, this time, the goal proved decisive.
"I am ending my international career where I served with pride, glory and honour for 14 years," he told Uefa's official website.
"I would like to thank everybody who has helped me.
"I am proud of each of my team-mates. Everybody in Turkey should get behind them because this team can achieve a lot."
Besiktas number one Rustu won 118 caps for his country, but had been deposed by Volkan Demirel before his untimely suspension during the finals.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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.
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 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
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."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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