Euro 2008 Germany 3 Turkey 2

Germany reached the final of Euro 2008 with a thrilling last minute 3-2 victory over Turkey. It must be said that Turkey were the better side on the night and with the last minute goal it could be said that they got a very unpleasant taste of their own medicine. It was also extremely unfortunate the TV coverage of a game that will be remembered for years was interrupted due to technical problems (i.e. it was raining).

right from the off Turkey took control of the game and after just 8 minutes a mistake from Lahm let in Altintop but Lehmann saved. Then a few minutes later Kazim Kazim smashed a shot against the German crossbar. A goal looked on the cards and it came just past twenty minutes when Kazim again hit the German bar, this time with a mishit looping effort, and Ugur Boral hit the ball somewhat amusingly through Jens Lehmann's legs.

Perhaps Germany had seen from previous games how dangerous it is to score first against Turkey and this could have been a clever ploy of reverse psychology. Four minutes later Schweinsteiger turned in Podolski's cross for an equalizer with Germany's first decent attack. At one-a-piece the game really opened up with Podolski and Klose looking dangerous on the break, but there were no more goals before half-time.

Germany had a huge penalty appeal turned down after 51 minutes when Lahm was clearly fouled by Sabri, but then we had to suffer the frustration of the first cut in transmission. From the radio commentary it seemed as if the Turks were continuing to dominate. The picture looked like it might go again but it came back on Spanish TV without commentary. I was just in time to see Klose head Germany in front in the 79th minute. I also couldn't help noticing the enormour gaffe by ex-Barça goalie Rustu who came for the cross but got nowhere near it.

Then, incredibly, Turkey pulled it back to 2-2. Lahm was again caught out as Sabri went past him to cross to Semih who nipped in at the near post to toe the ball past Lehmann (there was some pretty poor goalkeeping in this game, and in this tournament, I just hope you Valdés critics out there don't forget it). Anyway, the Turks obviously equalized far too early as they allowed Germany to "do a Turkey" and grab a last minute winner, Lahm bursting into the area to fire past Rustu.

A truly great game. Let's hope we get another one like it tomorrow night as Spain take on Russia.