Germany vs. Turkey

Tomorrow Germany and Turkey will play the first Euro 2008 Semi-Final. Both teams got to this point with merit but in totally different scenarios.

Germany came from a unexpected second place in Group B behind Croatia but the team used its force, discipline and tradition to beat Portugal - one of the favourites - in the quarterfinals.

Turkey struggled to finish in second place in Group A scoring last-minute goals and having passion as the main ingredient for the success. The "never give up" motto was also essential to give the team a goal in the stoppage time of extra time to allow Turkey to beat Croatia in the penalty shootout and secure a spot in the semis.

With that being said, both teams should have equal possibilities to moving to the final but everything changes if we analise each team's roster at this point.

From the 23 players on the squad Turkish coach Fatih Terim can only count on 14. He has 4 players suspended and 4 players who are injured. Important names included in this absence list are: Nihat and Emre (injured) and Arda Turan and Tuncay (suspended).

On the other hand, Germany has no injuries or suspension problems. All 23 players are available for the head coach Joachim Löw. And after the victory over Portugal the motivation level is high.

The responsibility now lies on Germany's back. They have all the favourable conditions to get to another Eurocup Final.

As for Turkey, they have ahead them another "mission impossible" but we've all seen this movie before during this tournament and we know that so far the Turks are playing award-winning roles.

Coach Fatih Terim's mission just gets tougher and tougher

Captain Michael Ballack knows that the Final is just one step away 

VS

The Turks didn't impress me when they played Portugal. The team is not bad, Nihat, Mehmet Aurelio, Hamit Altintop... I expected much more from Turkey, specially from Atintop but they really disppointed me.

Switzerland on the other displayed great football in the opening match but ended up with two defeats. One was the goal that gave the Czechs the victory and the other was Alexander Frei's injury. I'd love to see Derdiyok have more time on the pitch.

A MUST win match for both teams. Switzerland will have to face Portugal in the last round of this group phase so if they're still hoping to move on in the competition they'd better get this one!

I just hope that we don't see embarrassing violence scenes like the ones from the last match between these two teams. But anything is possible. There's certainly some tension in the air.

You can follow all the action in the MATCH CENTRE with live commentary and a heated chat room!

Join me there!

The first weekend of the Euro 2008 can be summarize like this: Great Saturday, Boring Sunday.

The opening match between Switzerland and Czech Republic had tears, strategic battles - Switzerland playing offensively and Czech Rep. all the way back in defense - and an undeserved Czech goal scored by a substitute player. It was great.

Then we had Portugal vs. Turkey. A very interesting match. Portugal hit the Turkish post three times, Cristiano Ronaldo made his traditional funny/frustrated faces and defender Pepe scored his first goal with the National shirt after an excellent one-two play. Turkey has a good team but not good enough to beat one of the favourites to win the title and at 93rd minute Raul Meirelles sealed Portugal's triumph.

Then on Sunday Croatia and Austria played one very boring match. The goal scored by Croatia on a penalty kick on the 5th minute set the final score and for the other 85 minutes I had to force myself no to fall sleep.

The so expected clash between Germany and Poland was a little better (or less worse). Podolski respect for Poland (he was born there) and for his Polish family was admirable. He didn't celebrate the two goals that seal Germany's victory and what a beautiful goal was that second one. But besides that none of the teams really impressed me.

But monday has finally arrived (football is the only reason to make me happy on a Monday morning) and right now I'm here at OleOle's HQ sitting next to my friend Frenchi just waiting for the (hopefully) two great matches of the day...