Turk Russia to the Last Four

Sunday, 22 June 08, 06:24 AM · Comments(0)

After Germany made it to the last four, two unfamiliar names followed suit.

Turkey and Croatia would create history by qualifying to the EURO2008 semi-final for the first time. After 118 minutes of stop and go football, the match came to life when Rustu Recber did a Nikopolidis and Ivan Klasnic benefited from it.

When one would have thought the Balkan nation had secured their semi-final berth, the Turks won the ball and Rustu's long ball was headed down for Semih Senturk to blast home in added time.

It was the Turks who held their nerves during the penalty shoot-out and Rustu became in instant hero by saving two out of four Croatia penalties. They are going to face the Germans in Basle on Wednesday.

Another new name in the last four is Russia. With Dutchman Guus Hiddink at the helm, Russia upset one of the tournament favourite Holland with a 3-1 win in extra-time. His fellow countrymen just failed to get into gear and could have gone home during normal time.

Hiddink now has to come up with another game-plan when the last four line-up is completed after the match between World Champions, Italy and Spain in order to play in the final which is scheduled on 29-06-2008 at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.

...

Like this blog? Help spread the word: