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Keep your chins up lads, you’ve done us all proud

June 26th, 2008 | By: Musab | 14 Comments »

Before the match started, I didn’t expect much from Turkey. I expected our depleted squad to just lose to the Germans by two or three goals and that’ll be the end of that. However the truth was far from what I had imagined. The boys went out there against the pre-tournament favorites and just completely outplayed them. Many would think that I’m sad or disappointed but I’m not. I am incredibly proud of this team.

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

Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Sweinsteiger, Ballack, Rolfes (min. 46 Frings), Hitzlspelger, Podolski, Klose (min.90 Jensen)
Manager: Joachim Low

Turkey: Rüştü, Sabri, Gökhan Zan, Mehmet Topal, Hakan Balta, Kazım (min.90 Tümer), Aurelio, Hamit, Mehmet Topal, Ayhan (min.81 Mevlüt), Uğur Boral (min.84 Gökdeniz), Semih
Manager: Fatih Terim

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.

Tags: Euro 2008, Germany, Postmatch, Turkey

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Comments

By Cicco_gol | June 26th, 2008 at 11:09 am

My girlfriend is Turkish and I have to say i’ve fallen in love with this country. Respect to all of Turkey, a country who have a bad reputation just because they have the balls to speak and act what they think. FORZA TURKIYE!!!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Phil | June 26th, 2008 at 11:31 am

Hey Musab, gotta agree to most of what you said. Turkey had a fabulous tournament and in case they won against Germany, it would have been more then deserved. That said, I have great sympathies for the turkish team, their spirit and determination. Had they won, I`d been cheering for them to win the finals. So much potential there, if Turkey in the future plays like they did against us, they will leave their mark in international football. The only weak point I saw was the following:

Turkey: 9 chances = 2 goals

Germany: 3 chances = 3 goals.

Add a bit more efficiency to the turkish team, and there you go.
Congrats and big kudos to you guys. And good luck in WC2010!

Posted from Germany

By -nickt.- | June 26th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

what a great euro2008 for turkey! sad they didn’t win but they did themselves proud.

By matthew | June 26th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

we love love love turkey
dont worry about it
you’ve done us all proud
good wishes for world cup turkey

from bodo, norway

By onur | June 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

thanks europe you save your cup but how can you save your another euro cups in future old europe poor europe we are coming to teach something first you mustn’t be racist oh sorry but your countries have neonazi minds and thanks all referees to help germany but everybody see in the world germans lucky and before these match three banned player we have germans like foul and I can’t see card in the match busacca chocolate brain counries man and all europe if you don’t want to see Turkey we stay in mediterranean but you must go out in mediterranean go out

Posted from Turkey

By tito | June 26th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

I agree with you entirely - the treatment of Turkey by UEFA was absolutely shameful. Despite this, Turkey very nearly prevailed against every valiant team, every crooked ref and every wretched linesman arrayed against them. Much, much respect.

Posted from United States

By julien | June 26th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

People have to stop bashing Turkey and give them some credit. They played a hell of a tournament. It was fun to watch. How they even scored 2 goals against Germany with a depleted side is amazing.

Posted from United States

By j | June 26th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Musab my friend, you are so right as you should be proud of this team. I’d also say that the entire sport should be proud of the Turkish team. They may not hoist the trophy but they unquestionably are THE victors of the tournament and a beacon for what the sport can be. Years from now what will be remembered of this Euro is what they did on the pitch and how they represented the people of Turkey.

Posted from Bulgaria

By Sevil | June 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am

a beautifully written article and also totally agree with you Musab. Turkey haven’t win Euro2008 but win the respect of many nationalities/countries.

By Zakir Yanmaz | June 27th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

I agree with you Muzab, we had a great tournament and we were the most entertaining team to watch. That is a big accomplishment.

By Sooz | July 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Musab - Wasn’t there a Turkish tee shirt saying something like “What ever happens, we have won”? When I saw that, it nailed it for me regarding good attitude and confidence, and playing the best game you can no matter what. It was a beautiful statement. I felt deeply privileged to have the opportunity to see Turkey play such incredible football. It made my heart swell with total respect and admiration. If you can clarify the tee shirt question, I would so appreciate it.

Posted from Canada

By Berk | July 1st, 2008 at 9:19 pm

in turkey the players of turkey treated like that they won the EURO 2008 Cup they may lost but won our hearts

By Sooz | July 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Yes, Berk, they also won in my heart as well. I was wishing for a Turkey/Spain final because there is nothing better for an athlete/team than good, level competition. That is truly a test of performance and abilities. I am happy for your country, glad that you have retained your coach, and look forward to more of their beautiful and skilled playing in South Africa, and I see they are in Group 5 with Spain in the preliminaries which begin in September. How exciting is this???!!!!!! Much love, respect and wishes to you, your team, and your country. -from the west coast of Canada

Posted from Canada

By Beethoven | July 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm

We admire you.

But rememer: fate is a queer comrade.

Just imagine what would have happened in that one matc against CZ if the world’s supposedly best goalie had not blundered so terribly against you. And that was no merit of yours - just shitty blundering.

Still: Great respect!

Comments are closed