Goodnight Vienna for brave Turks as Germany reach final

They do it all too often that it shouldn’t surprise anymore. They can play exceptionally well and win football matches. They can also play rather poorly and still win football matches. Germany have such a great habit of winning games even with their backs against the wall; a winning football mentality which is why they have been world and European champions three times apiece.

And it happened again last night in their Euro 2008 semi final against shock troops Turkey. An enthralling match ended in what had been expected beforehand; a German victory and place in Sunday’s final against Spain, who defeated Russia, another tournament shock troop, with surprising ease this evening. But not before Germany had effectively got out of jail against a Turkish team who were bereft of a whole host of their first choice players.

Their star striker Nihat was injured towards the end of the quarter final with Croatia and missed out along with Newcastle United’s Emre, while first choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was also serving the second of his two game suspension after a red card in the group game with the Czech Republic which dramatically saw the Turks progress.

All pointed to a comfortable evening for Jochaim Low’s team, who had impressively disposed of new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Portugal at the last eight stage. With the luxury of a full squad to pick from, it seemed that it be a certain victory for Germany.

But Fatih Terim’s Turks had other ideas and London born former Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United striker, Colin Kazim Richards, gave the favourites their first fright of the night when his fierce drive rattled goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s crossbar after only 12 minutes.

It should have served as a warning to Low’s team who had started in a really sluggish and lethargic fashion. They were failing to create anything going forward, skipper Michael Ballack was anonymous and defensively they were all over the place. And they were made to pay 22 minutes in.

Kazim Richards again caused the problems, and another of his efforts hit the woodwork but fell for Ugur Boral, who squeezed a shot between Lehmann’s legs to give the outsiders the lead. Cue pandemonium from the Turkish supporters, who had seen their team lead in these championships by all of 3 minutes prior to kick off.

The lead did last longer than that- 4 minutes to be precise as the Germans hit back with an excellent leveller. In their first meaningful attack, Lukas Podolski broke down the right hand side and his low ball into the area was finished via a deft touch from Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has responded to criticism from German legend Franz Beckenbauer earlier in the tournament in style.

His second goal of the tournament was a blow to the impressive Turks and Podolski blazed over with Miroslav Klose unmarked in the middle, but not before Lehmann was caught out completely by a Hamit Altintop free-kick, very much akin to Ronaldinho’s effort against David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup. But the Arsenal goalkeeper just about got back to push the ball over.

Germany were rocking and Lehmann made a better fist of things as he was called into action again, this time pushing away a fierce free-kick from Ugur.

Low would’ve been relieved to get his troops into the dressing room still level at half time; the lack of urgency and invention from Germany was puzzling, in complete contrast to the quarter final with Portugal. Ballack was anonymous and Torsten Frings, not fit enough for the starting XI, was introduced in place of Simon Rolfes, who had received a nasty head wound.

Frings for me has been one of the outstanding players of Euro 2008 but even he couldn’t inspire his side to rise above, at best, mediocrity as Turkey continued to look the better team and Ugur against had Lehmann worried with a fine shot.

But, as they so often do, Germany made their opponents pay for failing to take advantage of being on top with 11 minutes remaining, and it was a massive error by veteran keeper Rustu, who today confirmed he has retired from the international arena, which gifted the Germans their second.

Full back Philip Lahm sent over a cross ball which looked like it would be easily dealt with, but instead Rustu got nowhere near it and Klose was on hand to nod Germany into the lead.

2-1 down, it looked over for Turkey but the team who had come back from the dead with 3 minutes left against the Czech Republic by scoring twice to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and who equalised Croatia’s 129th minute opener in the Quarter Final, roared back in sensational form once more.

Superb play on the right hand touchline by Sabri Sarioglu saw him knock the ball around Lahm, and from the goal-line he played the ball to the near post where Semih Senturk was on hand to flick the ball into the net with four minutes to play.

But Turkey’s celebrations were short-lived as Germany gave them a tase of what the Czechs and Croatians had to endure in the last minute by stealing a winning goal. And with the German defence rocky all evening, it was ironic that a defender should send them through. Lahm charged forward and, via a neat one two with ex Aston Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger, he planted a shot high into the net to break Turkish hearts.

As Germany celebrated their place in the final out of relief more than anything, Turkey’s players sank to the ground in the midst of such an agonising and cruel defeat. A team which had a patched up look about it again confounded experts and produced a display which deserved to take them into Sunday’s showpiece with Spain.

One wonders how they would’ve fared had Nihat et al been available, but it’s goodnight Vienna for them. If Germany are to waltz their way to the trophy Viennese style, they will have to play a lot, lot better than they did against the brave Turks.

Germany and Portugal the early stars of Austria/Switzerland

Euro 2008 finally got underway on Saturday afternoon after weeks of anticipation across Europe. Not that you would have known in Britain, as the country’s media have chosen to somewhat ignore the showpiece event until the week of its kick off after none of the home nations managed to make it to the Alps. And this lack of interest even threatened, albeit briefly, to spill on to me, as I was unsure about including it on my blog.

But, with a feast of football to look forward to over the next month, I had to include it. Switzerland kicked off proceedings with the Czech Republic, who in my opinion are definitely one of the dark horses to look out for in the championships. The Czechs impressed me in their 3-1 defeat of Scotland prior to the tournament, though George Burley’s team were very much understrength.

The Swiss themselves have a decent pedigree in recent years, so a close content was anticipated. And it was, with the Czechs scraping a one goal victory thanks to Vaclav Sverkos. The Swiss, who will be without captain Alexander Frei for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury sustained in the game, had a dramatic late penalty appeal for handball turned down, as well as hitting the bar through Johan Vonlathen in a second half dominated by the co-hosts.

So it was a nervy start for Karl Bruckner’s Czechs, but it was not so for another fancied team, Portugal, as they confirmed their status as Group A favourites with a comfortable victory over Turkey in Geneva. Phil Scolari’s team played with a zest and a flair throughout that the Turks couldn’t match, with Cristiano Ronaldo in menacing mood, hitting the post with a first half free-kick. Striker Nuno Gomes also hit the woodwork before he played a one two with centre back Pepe, who slid home the opener on 61 minutes.

The Portugese were impressive to watch and Gomes hit the bar with a header before Sporting Lisbon captain Joao Moutinho set up Raul Meireles to seal the win in stoppage time. A convincing and well deserved win, and you feel it will be hard for either Switzerland or Turkey to qualify for the quarter finals at the expense of the Group A pacesetters.

The opening matches of Group B took place yesterday and it was Austria’s turn to light up their own tournament. They were up against the much fancied Croatia, and this author has them down as real dark horses to go all the way. Having witnessed at first hand Slaven Billic’s side at Hampden in March, I believe they are a good side with excellent individuals, technical ability and a great team ethic. The Austrians are ranked 92nd in the FIFA World Rankings, as opposed to Croatia in 15th. On paper, it was a total mismatch in favour of Croatia.

But this didn’t matter little, as Austria put up a very creditable performance in the Ernst Happel Stadion, which will host the final. However, Luka Modric’s 4th minute penalty after Rene Aufhauser felled Ivica Ollic was enough to give Croatia a win they barely deserved, as the hosts threw everything at them in the second period. Umit Korkmaz saw a shot well saved while Roman Kienast headed narrowly wide as Austria narrowly missed out on a draw they at the least deserved.

A win then for Croatia, but much for Billic to mull over ahead of their next game, against Germany. Comparing the performances of Croatia and the Germans, Billic’s team will have to up their game significantly if they are to defeat the 3 time world champions as they impressively dismissed Poland in Klagenfurt.

This was an eagerly anticipated game, given the history between the two countries and the rather heated build up in the Polish and, to a lesser extent, German media. I expected a fierce contest but what we got was a competitive game played in the right spirit, with some good football. While the Poles certainly played well in spells, particularly at the start of the second half, they lacked penetration to hurt the German rearguard, even though they did look shaky at times.

And Germany punished them and deserved the win, handed to them by a Polish born striker. Lukas Podolski, who moved from Poland to Germany when he was 2 years old and subsequently went on to represent Deutschland, fired them on the path to victory on 20 minutes, aided by some horrific Poland defending. They were static as Miroslav Klose broke free and squared for Podolski to tap home.

Germany’s attacking play was a joy to watch, with Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack in impressive form in midfield, initiating their side’s attacking play. While their opponents had them on the back foot in the second half, Chelsea star Ballack forced a brilliant save from Celtic keeper Artur Boruc after a fierce drive before Podolski wrapped up the win with 18 minutes to go.

There was good fortune about it, as Klose completely miscued what appeared to be a shot from a Bastian Schweinsteiger pass, which fell to Podolski who smashed home a brilliant volley past the helpless Boruc. This was a confident, assured and at times classy German display, and they showed why they are my tip for the tournament.

Poland however simply must win against Austria on Sunday to have a chance of going through, and the same has to be said for the Austrians. Germany take on Croatia next and I feel that will be a lot closer than tonight’s game for Germany, and I expect a much a much improved Croatian display. However, I expect both to progress from Group B.

So there we go then, impressive early starts for Germany and Portugal. Croatia and the Czech Republic look nervy early on. Later today I’ll focus on Group C, or the ‘group of death’. France take on Romania at 5pm, before Holland and Italy play at 7.45 in what is a mouthwatering clash. Its a game where the beers are being well chilled in preparation.

Until then, Auf Wiedersehen……..