New friendly’s summon old demons.

Turkey’s 2002 World cup heroics granted them an invitation to the Confederations Cup in 2003. Turkey managed to reach the Semi-Finals after tying 2-2 with Brazil in the group stages. They were placed against host’s France.

France began the game brightly as Pires, Henry and Wiltord gave France a 3-1 lead at half time. Turkey was determined to atleast tie the game and began brightly in the second half as Tuncay’s 48th minute half volley reduced the deficit to 3-2. Turkey launched an attack in the dying minutes of the game and Ibrahim Uzulmez fell to the ground in the penalty area. Turkey was awarded a penalty. Yet luck was not on their side, and the shot narrowly missed the target.

Turkey face France on the 5th June and are set to play in Lyon.

Turkey also play neighbouring Azerbaijan on the 2nd of June. They will play at the newly constructed Kayseri Kadirhas Stadium.

Fatih Terim was recently released out of hospital after a boating accident. His Finger was broken in several places and some described it as “nearly coming off”.

Turkey’s squad~

Goalkeepers
1- SINAN BOLAT
2- UFUK CEYLAN
3- VOLKAN DEMIREL

Defenders
4- GOKHAN GONUL
5- SABRI SARIOGLU
6- CEYHUN GULSELAM
7- EREN GUNGOR
8- BEKIR IRTEGUN
9- IBRAHIM KAS
10- GOKHAN ZAN
11- HAKAN BALTA
12- IBRAHIM UZULMEZ

Midfielders
13- KAZIM KAZIM
14- TUNCAY SANLI
15- EMRE BELOZOGLU
16- NURI SAHIN
17- YUSUF SIMSEK
18- MEHMET TOPAL
19- CANER ERKIN
20- ARDA TURAN

Attackers
21- HALIL ALTINTOP
22- MEVLUT ERDINC
23- NIHAT KAHVECI
24- SEMIH SENTURK
25- SERCAN YILDIRIM