Germany 3 - 2 Turkey
Euro2008 Semi Final 1

A last-gasp Philipp Lahm strike sent Germany undeservedly through to Euro2008. Having been hailed before the match as the best German side since 1990, they promptly set about proving that they were the worst since 1958 by failing to defend properly and being unable to control or pass the ball with any degree of accuracy in the opening spell of the match.

Despite being patched up, Turkey pushed their opponents to the limit and could have been ahead before the opening quarter of the game had elapsed; Colin Kazim-Richards thundered a shot against Jens Lehmann’s crossbar. Minutes later that miss was irrelevant. Kazim-Richards effort looped over Lehmann’s head and span onto the crossbar with the German ‘keeper helpless and watching, Ugur was first to react and shot straight at the former Arsenal custodian. As Lehmann fumbled, the ball passed through his legs, tantalisingly evading his grasp as he desperately tried to retrieve the situation.

The lead was no more than Turkey deserved as they had outpassed and outclassed their opponents. It was the catalyst for a more open game and within four minutes, Germany were level. Podolski stretched the Turkish defence with a run down the left and centered for Schweinsteiger to add the deftest of touches to equalise.

The match developed into an end-to-end game with the Turks constantly exposing the soft centre of the German defence. Neither Mertesacker or Metzelder was comfortable in possession and their distribution was poor. It remained level until exploding back into life in the final fifteen minutes. Rustu was slow off his line to react to a cross, allowing Klose the chance to head the ball home with eleven minutes remaining. It was time for the Germans to revert to type and kill off the game.

Except no-one had told the Turks this. Amid a flurry of activity on the bench, Sabri made mincemeat of Lahm and reached the byeline where his low cross was met at the near post by Semih, who guided the ball once more through Lehmann’s legs for the equaliser. With extra time looming, Germany mustered their best attacking move of the game as Lahm played a one-two with Hitzelsperger and found himself free in the Turkish area, burying the chance past Rustu for the glory.

Tags: Euro2008, Football, Germany, Soccer, Turkey

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