Croatia v Turkey

Croatia v Turkey

20/06/2008

Croatia went in to this game favourites after winning all three of their group games, including an impressive and unexpected victory over Germany. Turkey didn't do as well in the group stages, finishing second after three very late goals in their final game got them through to the last eight.

Croatia started the better team, playing good football and creating a couple of opportunities, and they should have been two goals up after an Olic tap in hit the bar, and several other shots and headers missed. Turkey never really created many opportunities in the first half, even though they had two thirds of the possession.

The second half was much the same, except this time Croatia should have scored, with over ten shots in the second half alone, they should have been out of sight of a Turkish team who were looking increasingly nervous, but the Turks hung on to a goal less draw, meaning the game went to extra time for the first time in Euro 2008.

The first period of extra time was when Turkey came to life, and they looked the team most likely to score, as they made several good opportunities from crosses and long shots. Croatia looked increasingly tired, and were struggling with the Turks, but they held on.

The second half of extra time, and the fourth of the game, brought the most exciting football of the game, even though both teams were immensely tired. It was ninety seconds before the end of the game when Croatian substitute Klasnic headed the ball in to an empty net after Turkish goal keeper Rustu came out for a ball he should have left.

But then, a long ball forward from Rustu resulted in a mix up in the Croatian defence, with no one wanting to clear it, so Turkish substitute Senturk blasted the ball in to the top corner from eight yards, and this turned out the be the last kick of the game, which meant only one thing: penalties.

Croatia went first, and Modric missed the first penalty, with Turkey scoring. Luckily for Croatia, Srna scored, but to no avail, as Turkey went on to win the game 3 – 1 on penalties.

Overall, a pretty boring game until extra time, where it really came alive. Croatia should have won the game, and it wasn't really fair, but at the end of the day Turkey scored more goals and that's what counts.

Final Score:

Croatia 1 – 1 Turkey

(Turkey win 3 – 1 on penalties)