Hasan Dogan came to power only a few months ago and was immediately loved by all. He jumpstarted programs to improve the infrastructure of some of the smaller anatolian teams and worked hard to develop the Turkish youth soccer academies. He brought a feeling of goodwill and cooperation between the many clubs of the league and can be credited with the bridging of the many gaps between the big three clubs.

Before Hasan Dogan, referees in Turkey were widely considered corrupt and lacking in quality. After Hasan Dogan, the quality of Turkish referees was considered to be better than many European referees. However Hasan Dogan was special in other ways as well. He stood for a drastic change from the old inefficient adminstration and was loved by all fans of football, no matter what team they supported. I have never heard one word of disdain or even criticism against him.

Hasan dogan leaves behind his wife and two children. May he rest in peace. Merhuma Allah’tan rahmet, kederli ailesi ve Türk futbol camiasına başsağlığı dilerim.

Germany-Turkey: 2-3
Stadium: St. Jakob Park
Referees: Massimo Busacca, Matthias Arnet, Stéphane Cuhat - Peter Fröjdfeldt

Goals: Uğur Boral (min. 22), Sweinsteiger (min. 25) Klose (min.79) Semih (min.86) Lahm (min.90)
Yellow Card: Semih (Turkey)

The match was entirely in our favor. We had 11 shots to the Germans 3. Of our 11 shots, 2 were converted to goals while every one of Germany’s shots were goals. In terms of gameplay our players completely outplayed the Germans. What makes all of this so special is that the German national team was filled with great superstars; Klose, Ballack, Metzelder, etc. However most of our players were players who were reserve and backup players for the national team.

The one thing that the Germans did not reckon that they would be dealing with is that legendary “hirs“, that Turkish desire to get out there and play passionate football to win. That was the reason why we kept making great comebacks throughout this tournament. Indeed that desire was shown by the fragments of the team against Germany.

And yet it just wasn’t enough. It just wasn’t enough. Even when our depleted team showed all their desire and played much better than the Germans, we just couldn’t beat them and instead got a taste of our own medicine. I cant blame us for losing. Maybe if Servet was healthy enough to play in Mehmet Topal’s place, then Schweinsteiger might not have been able to bypass two defenders to score the goal. Maybe Arda was not banned from the match, he might have saved the team again. Maybe Maybe Maybe.

I wish to say this flat-out, If we had a full squad like the Germans, we would have without a doubt beat the Germans and would have gone on to win the cup. I fully believe this with all my heart. Thanks a lot UEFA and your bullshit referees as well as the federation and their bullshit physiotherpaists and trainers.

Either way, we have got to be proud of what we have done. Fatih Terim had said before the tournament that his main goal was to show the world that Turkish football is still alive and well. If that’s our goal, then we have definitly won the cup.

All the best to the Germans from here on out.

Turkey vs Germany Euro 2008 SemiFinal LiveBlog

Team Injuries and Banned players

1. Volkan Demirel- As we all know Volkan saw a red card for pushing Koller away during the Turkey- Czech Republic match. Many say that it was a bit harsh, but at the end of the day he’s out. today UEFA revealed that Volkan has been given a two match ban as well. One match for the red card and one for not going straight to the showers but sitting on the bench for the remaining minute. What an idiot. Couldn’t anyone there at the bench tell him to just go to the locker rooms?

2. Emre Belezoglu- It seems that Emre’s hamstring injury will make him miss the rest of the tournament. Im still not sure whether his absence will actually affect us negatively. I mean he only played in the Portugal match and didn’t do anything of importance. In the Switzerland and Czech Republic match the midfield held pretty well without him. But still, Emre’s quality cannot be disputed. We’ll see what happens.

3. Emre Gungor- In the Czech Republic match, the second Emre was injured in the first part of the second half. Team doctors say that he has a pulled calf muscle, effectively ruling him out of the tournament. Emre was a good defender but we’ll see what Fatih Terim has in store.

4. Tumer Metin- Tumer was injured in the water logged pitch at St. Jakob stadium in the Switzerland-Turkey match and was removed from play after the first half. I don’t think we’ll be missing him all that much.

In addition, the national team held a press conference today with right-back Sabri Sarioglu and central midfielder Mehmet Topal taking part. Here’s what they had to say:

Sabri:

“Even though I usually play as a substitute, I don’t believe it hampers my performance. Besides, after entering the match, we were able to turn the match around for a victory. I’m very proud to take part in this. The important thing for us in the Croatia match if to put our hearts into the match and play with all our desire. It dosen’t matter who we play against, we have to play top-notch football.

In response to a question about Turkey’s come from behind victories:

“Most of the time it takes us some time to get into the match, and as a result we concede goals. However we almost always raise our tempo in the second half and this is our key to victory. Hopefully this will also lead us to victory in the Croatia match.”

Mehmet Topal:

“Our goal is to beat the Croats and get to the next round. Thats our only goal, that’s the only thing on our minds right now. We as a team love to fight for the ball and we put our hearts into the match. We came here to be succesful. If that means winning the cup, then so be it. Im sure that the Croatia match will be a hard fought match with both sides attempting to get the better of each other. I feel that when it comes to the two teams forwards, we have the advantage. If we can also help out midfield and defense, we can beat them.”

And finally a pretty embaressing story from the training grounds. Apparently a group of Croatian camermen were able to elude security and reach the balcony of a building close to the national team’s training grounds in order to videotape the team’s tactical training. It was only when Fatih Terim himself noticed the crew and enquired about them were they “escorted” out.

Way to go TFF. If you can’t provide some basic security for the team, how can you expect Fatih Terim to lead this team ot victory?

Turkey: 3 Czech Republic: 2

Yellow Cards: min. 6 Mehmet Topal, min. 10 Aurelio, min. 73 Emre Aşık (Turkey), min. 76 Galasek, min. 90 Ujfalusi (Czech Republic)
Red Card: min. 90 Volkan (Turkey)

In stark contrast to the Swiss match, we started the match in a very lack-luster way. The Czech’s dominated game play, posession was almost entirely in their hands and one couldn’t help but notice the number of fouls that we were conceding. Indeed one of these fouls were punished by a yellow card to Mehmet Topal in the 6th minute. Aurelio saw a pointless yellow card only 5 minutes later for dissent. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Please just shut the hell up. Why would you go and ask for a yellow card like that?

For the next twenty minutes, Turkey seemed to consolidate and began to take shots on the Czech goal courtesy of Tuncay and Mehmet Topal. However in the 34th minute the Czechs came forward on a counter-attack and with a great cross into the box, scored the first goal of the game courtesy of that giant Jan Koller. In the 36th and 39th minutes, Nihat’s crosses were met by Arda and Servet respectively, to no avail.

First half ended 1-0 and it seemed that Turkey, while down, was by no means out of this match. While they were down a goal to nil, the Turks wre trying to make things happen. The midfield was holding well while the Czechs were pretty much coming forward through counter-attacks. A general rule I follow in football is that if a team plays well, they will be rewarded. One way or another.

That rule seemed to be pretty much thrown out of the window when in the 62 min., the Czechs capatilized on a massive mistake by the Turkish defense. About that goal, I think it was scandelous defending on Sabri’s part. How can you let a player just waltz up to where the ball is and allow him to slot it home? And yet at the same time, I can’t blame Sabri. I mean Sabri was raised his entire life as a right wing player, not a right back.

Right then at that moment, something happened. I don’t know whether it was God, Fatih Terim’s glare, or the thought of angry Turkish fans at the airport, but for some reason, the Turks decided that they were going to win this match. They just started to play amazing footy and turned the Czechs inside out. Once again that goldenboy, Arda Turan led his team to victory. He just completely tore apart the Czechs. I kid you not, if this kid isn’t playing in a European big team in a year or two, his talent will just wilt away. We have to prevent this.

In the 75th minute, Turkey launched a very well organized passing attack which resulted in Hamit turning in towards the edge of the penalty box where Arda just slotted it cleanly home. Great job lad.
It seemed that something could happen. That maybe, just maybe this game was not gone.

Then IT happened. The turkish media have laid down several reasons why IT happened. Some say that a very bright light or that a raindrop impaired him. Some say that he accepted a bribe the night before from the Turkish federation boss (they even have bullshit photos to “prove” it). Whatever the reason was, IT happened and Turkey drew level.

And finally, just when we thought our luck had run out, when we thought that the match would go on for another 30 min and the Czechs would find a way out of their own mess, Nihat got the ball, saw Cech, took an amazing shot and took Turkey almost singlehandedly to the Quarterfinals. In the Switzerland match I ran to the screen and yelled at the top of my voice. In the Czech match, I just collapsed to the floor and began to cry like a child.

And yet the madness was not done just yet. In injury time, the idiot Volkan yet again showed that he is more of an animal and not a goalkeeper when he pushed Koller to the ground. Im not sure whether the red card was as a result of a second yellow card or that the referee jsut gave the red card straight away for violent behavior, but Turkey was down a man with Tuncay in goal for the final minute of the game. Un-freaking-beleivable. Thankfully the Turks held out and Musab got the chance to celebrate. I remember saying that Vienna was our final goal. That at this point nothing can hold us back. Let’s see this Friday.

And so ended yet another dramatic Turkish comeback victory. However we definitly deserved the match. When we are pressed for victory, we just play outstanding football. Damn you Turks and your inconsistencies.

So who did well, and who could have done better?

Applause:

1. Arda Turan- Arda, when I watch you I feel like I’m watching a thirty year old veteran of this team. Not a 21 year old who only 2 years ago was a ball boy at the Ali Sami Yen stadium. Arda has so much potential that I’m afraid will not be realized if he stays in Turkey.

2. Nihat Kahveci- Nihat was just amazing. That third goal was a goal that only Nihat can score. I’ll admit I was a bit harsh on Nihat for his past performances against Switzerland and Portugal. However he completely proved me wrong and led us to victory. Man of the match by UEFA.

3. Hamit Altintop- Hamit provided assists for all three goals. He turned the ball across the field to a wide-open Arda for the first goal. He made the cross which Cech just completely screwed up leading to the second goal, and gave the through ball for Nihat’s final goal. Hamit wasn’t so into the match against Switzerland but I feel that he has rebounded well.

Disappointment

1. Tuncay Sanli- Tuncay has been playing terribly for the past three matches. And yet Fatih Terim just can’t sit him on the bench. I also want Tuncay to just burst onto the stage and lead the team to vicotry, but it dosen’t look like it’s gonna happen.

What Next?

Team morale is through the roof and the Turks are already screaming that the trophy is coming to Istanbul without a doubt. While I don’y know about that, I know that the road ahead is going to be a lot tougher than what we’ve had to deal with so far.

Next up is Croatia. The Croatians are a great team without a doubt. They’ve knocked England out and have defeated the Germans 2-1. Very impressive. Can we get another comeback victory? We’ll see this Friday.

Switzerland: 1 - Turkey: 2

Goals: Hakan Yakın (min. 32), Semih Şentürk (min. 57), Arda Turan (min. 90+2)
Yellow Cards: Eren (Switzerland), Tuncay, Aurelio, Hakan Balta (Turkey)

The game started off well for us, the team seemed much more organized and seemed to want victory far more than they did in the Portugal match. However the heavens opened up in the 12th minute, completely ruining our gameplan. As we all know, the plan was to get the ball up to the forwards who would then rush forth to goal. The rain just completely threw that out the window. As we all know we don’t have one forward who can head the ball properly (or so i thought). The one man who can do that is unfortunantly sitting home in Istanbul and watching the match and probably tearing his hair out.

The Swiss used their brains and realized that taking long shots would probably be best in such a field. In the 23th and 25th minute, Hakan Yakin’s and Tranquillo (sp?) Barnetta’s shots were saved by Volkan and were turned into corners. In the 27th min, Arda Turans header (Shoulderer?) came back off the crossbar. Just when I thought that we just might be able to get this game, the Swiss just sent one long pass to Eren Derdiyok who centered it to Hakan Yakin for the goal. Right then and there, despair floated over the room like an old tuna sandwich which you know you probably should have just thrown away after one too many nights under your bed. I said it out loud, we could not win this game under these rainy conditions. Only three minutes later Hakan Yakin couldn’t score into an empty net. (It’s obvious he’s a Turk )

Whatever Fatih Terim said in the dressing worked because when those boys got out they played with renewed vigor. Terim decided to take out Gokdeniz and Tumer and put in Mehmet Topal and that golden sub Semih Senturk. This worked miracles for us. These two youth players played with much more vigor then their predecessors. By taking Gokdeniz out (who never tries to help with the defense) and putting in an energetic holding midfielder, Turkey seemed to really get into the mood.

The Swiss however still managed to find chances in the 49th and 51st minutes, despite the milliler playing the better football. And in the 57th minute, Nihat’s golden cross found that super sub Semih who headed the ball in at close range. In the 73 minute Turkey got into a 2 on 2 position and Tuncay not only couldn’t get a shot off, gave a horrid pass to a wide open Nihat. Pitiful.

But then finally in the 90th+2 minute,Turkey finally got the fruits of their labor when Turkish goldenboy Arda got ahold of the ball, took on two defenders, got off a shot (which deflected off Muller’s ankle) and found the back of the net. I tell you right now, that living room completely collapsed. I just remember myself running to the Television and screaming GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with every ounce of breath I had left. Thank you so much Arda.

Now where do we go from here? First off there are a couple of players that deserve some special praise.

1. Volkan Demirel- In the past he used to eat some howlers but he seems to have learned from his mistakes. This match could have been his best one yet with the Ay-Yildizlar and with this morale he might do better yet.

2. Arda Turan- He’s only 20 years old and he’s so talented. I’ll admit he got lost towards the end of the second half but his sheer technique on the ball and eye for goal makes him vital to this team (If anyone wants to buy Arda from Galatasaray, his price tag is 30 million. Nothing less).

3. Servet Cetin- Without a doubt the most consistent performer in the squad. His sheer size and strength makes him almost impossible to get past. The Swiss Eren Derdiyok was completely lost throughout the match as a result of Servet’s tight marking. Way to go Servet.

And of course the disappointments:

1. Tuncay Sanli- I’m sorry Tuncay but your football has been garbage throughout the two matches. You haven’t done one productive thing so far. Fatih Terim just has to drop him from the squad. We can’t risk giving him a third chance in the Czech Republic match.

2. Nihat Kahveci- I’m expecting more from you Nihat. You’re supposed to be the star of this team, and yet I’m not seeing anything even remotely special from you. You’ve got one more chance this Sunday. I know you’re gonna do me proud.

3. Hamit Altintop- The second star of this team was also really lackluster. I’m 99% sure Hamit is injured and that he’s playing through it. Let’s see how much longer he can stand this.

4. Turqoise Unifroms- Are you kidding me? Who was the idiot behind this?

Where do we go from now?

The Czech’s haven’t been all that impressive this tournament so far. They were completely outplayed in their first match against the Swiss and lost pretty badly to the Portuguese. I really think we have a chance. The Czech’s will go into Sunday’s match with only thought on their minds. That they have to beat the “Turcos”. The Turks on the other hand are full of morale and belief that they can get something out of this match.

According to UEFA rules, if the first 90 minutes end in a draw, additional time will be played. If that doesn’t change anything, a penalty shootout will take place. We all know that Volkan saved three of Sevilla’s penalties with Fenerbahce.

Seeing blood on Emre Asik’s and Hakan Balta’s faces and uniforms brought pride to my heart. “Now that’s a true Turk!”. Without a doubt that photo will be the photo of Turkey in Euro 2008. Although another picture might just be better.