GERMANY V TURKEY
Overview
As in the last World Cup, Germany have marched triumphantly to the semi finals of a major international tournament. Unlike that World Cup, they have done it, not as underdogs, but initially as tournament favourites. Defeat to Croatia and a stumbling display against Austria may have hurt their odds somewhat, but they blew Portugal away with a resiliently professional display in the face of the Portuguese style.
For Turkey, they possess the most incredible statistic of these finals. In all their games, they have led for less than nine minutes of football, and yet here they are. Late winners against Switzerland and the Czech Republic got them through the groups stages, and a dramatic equaliser right at the death of extra time (after going behind seconds before) saw them win the resulting penalty shoot out to oust Croatia. They are the rank outsiders, and the injury and suspension list has reached disastrous proportions for the Turks, but if they can keep Germany to a goal lead at most, never say never with this side.
Team News
Germany's only major concern ahead of the game is influential holding midfielder Torsten Frings, who is back in training after suffering a rib injury in the Austria game. Simon Rolfes deputised in the Portugal game, and looked up to the job, so they may not miss him too badly. Their only disciplinary issue is the return of coach Low to the touchline, following a one game ban for some edge-of-pitch silliness against Austria.
Turkey's squad issues are bordering on the absurd. Nihat Kahveci, Emre Gungor and Gokhan Gonul are all injured, with striker Nihat likely to be missed the most, while Emre Belozoglu is struggling to be fit in time. Servet Cetin and Tumer Metin are also recovering from knocks. On the disciplinary front, Mehmet Aurelio will return in midfield after serving a ban, but Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik all join goalkeeper Volkan Demirel on the touchline for yellow card issues. All in all, Turkey may well have only 13 outfield players at best for their squad, and Terim hasn't ruled out bringing reserve keeper Tolgan Zengin on as an outfield sub in the game, such is the scale of the crisis. UEFA, always the sympathisers, have ruled out allowing Turkey to call up new players to their 23 man squad while they still have eleven players available. Nice of them.
Probable Teams
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Klose, Podolski.
Turkey: Rustu, Altintop, Zan, Cetin, Balta, Topal, Sarioglu, Aurelio, Emre, Kazim-Richards, Senturk.
BBC Coverage Predictions
- Gary Lineker introduces game from pre-recorded footage of him speaking his lines while being filmed at the top of St Jakob Park's main stand filmed from camera position in centre circle.
- John Motson introduces teams with knowing cackle regarding "Walthamstow-born Colin Kazim-Richards", alluding to a possibility that the young, sort-of English man is the second coming of Jairzinho.
- Mark Lawrenson makes a dubious attempt at humour after a Turkey attack, including "Semih final" pun on the main striker's name.
- Half time question from Lineker regarding German marking from set pieces yields baffling minute-long ramble from an incoherent Martin O'Neill.
- Time-filling segue piece during half time break sees Garth Crookes visit a local landmark with vaguely tenuous connection to either of tonights teams.
- Motson points out the potential for a penalty shoot out seven times during opening ten second half minutes, along with further knowing cackle regarding Germany v England shoot outs.
- Attempt at full time pitch-side analysis from Gordon Strachan drowned out by sonorous chanting of the massed Turkish support in the crowd.
- Lineker signs off with smug punnery regarding turkeys and cooking.
Games of Yore
The only time these two have met in a major tournament finals was back at the 1954 World Cup. Germany will be hoping for similar joy as back then, as the then-West German side beat Turkey 4-1 and then 7-2 in the two games, though Turkey won the last game between the two in Istanbul in 2005.
Stat-u-Like:
Venue: St Jakob Park, Basel.
Capacity: 40,000
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
On Patronise
Patty will be covering all the happenings in Basel from 19.20 BST on Wednesday. Expect all the usual shambolic spelling of a Grand Prix commentary, with extra football terms.
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