Euro2008: Germany - Turkey

Turkey went in to the first semi final looking a beaten team before they had even started the game, with nine players out through injury and suspension, meaning it would be even harder to beat the Germans, who looked on top form against Portugal in their semi final.

Surprisingly, the Turks started the better team, putting Jens Lehmann under constant pressure and the German defence looked extremely tired, and no one on the German team was running off the ball.

It was on the twenty second minute when Turkey deservedly scored, a well worked move lead to a looping shot that hit the cross bar, falling kindly for Ugur Boral to bundle the ball over the line. It was juts four minutes later when Germany equalized though, a counter attack and a Podolski cross meant that Bastien Schweinsteiger could flick the ball over Turkish keeper Rustu, and Germany went in to half time extremely lucky that they were drawing.

The Turkish looked the brighter team in the second half, too, with Germany struggling to make any real impact on the game and the Turks had an eternity to pass the ball around. It was unfair and against the run of play when a German attack led to a Rustu error, meaning Klose could head the Germans in to the lead.

'Come back kings' Turkey found a way back in to the game with four minute to go, though, scoring a neat goal and putting themselves back in the frame to go through to the final, but then Germany scored again. Phillip Lahm's overlapping run resulted in a one two before the German left back smashed the ball in to the near top corner, giving the Turkish defense no chance.

This result means that Germany will play either Spain or Russia in the final, but Turkey will be disappointed as they were the better team in this game.

Final Score:

Germany 3 – 2 Turkey