Germany 3 v 2 Turkey: Germany Through To Final After Fantastic Semi-Final

June 25, 2008 by CLDsport

Germany have beaten Turkey 3-2 in a fantastic semi-final. Turkey took the lead in the 22nd minute after some slow defending. The lead only lasted four minutes as Schweinsteiger equalised. With 3 goals scored in the last ten minutes, Turkish hearts were broken in injury time as Philipp Lahm as he smashed home the winner.

An understrength Turkey team started the much better team in Basel this evening, and always looked like they would be the first to score. Kazim-Richards was running rings around a disorganised German defence, and was unlucky not to score when he hammered a shot against the bar.

No great surprise then, that the Turks eventually opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Kazim-Richards was in the thick of it once again, as his shot rebounded off the bar into the path of Boral. The German defence did not react, and the ball was bundled home - despite the ‘best’ efforts of Lehmann. Replays suggest the former Arsenal keeper could and probably should have done much better.

It was no more than Turkey deserved after their excellent start to the semi-final, unfortunately for them it was to be short-lived. Just 4 minutes later Podolski was released down the left, and the Turkey defence simply couldn’t catch him. Schweinsteiger beat the Turkish defender to the ball, and flicked it across Rustu to make it 1-1.

Jens Lehmann looked uncharacteristically poor in the first half. Not more so than in the 34th minute, when Altintop’s free-kick almost caught him out of position. Luckily for the Germans he managed to scramble back and tip the ball over the bar.

Turkey continued to run riot with the German defence, and still looked the much better team.

As we approached the hour mark a refereeing blunder saved Turkey from conceding a penalty, much to the German’s disgust. Philipp Lahm is upended by Sabri on the edge of the box, and the only question seems to be - was it in or out of the box? But, the ref waved play on - no penalty, no free-kick, and no ’simulation’. To everybody’s amazement the ref completely ignored the incident.

Replays clearly show that Lahm was fouled, and it also appears to have been IN the box. Germany are right to be disgusted.

As the match entered the final 30 minutes, Germany were finally starting to look dangerous. However, due to extreme weather, the TV signal was knocked out - and the world was left staring at a blank screen for ten or so minutes.

With just 10 minutes remaining, the Germans got the goal they’d been threatening. Rustu inexplicably came to punch a deep cross, but got nowhere near it. Miroslav Klose was left to head into an unguarded net.

This tournament has proved that it is never over until it actually is over - especially where Turkey are concerned. With just 4 minutes left on the clock they forced an equaliser. Sabri brilliantly beats Philipp Lahm on the right plays it into the box low and fast. As Lehmann sat and waited for the ball, Semih Senturk nipped in at the near post to poke the ball past him. Amazingly the match appeared to be heading for extra-time.

But, the Germans snatched it at the death. Philipp Lahm beats one Turk, before playing a quick pass to Hitzlsperger, and then receives the return pass in the box before firing the ball into the roof of the net to wild German celebrations.

As the final whistle was blown, the Turkish players, coaching team, and fans alike broke down in tears. Turkey deserved to at least take the game into extra-time. For the majority of the 90 minutes they were the better team, and the German defence looked like a shambles.

Germany will have to improve when they appear in the final on Sunday. Next question - who will meet them? Will it be Spain? Or Russia? They meet in the second semi-final tomorrow evening at 7.45pm (BST) and you can watch it live on ITV1.

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