Germany vs. Turkey -- Semi Final 1
If the Germany that showed up for their group match versus Croatia turn up again today, the organized and full-of-running Turks could pose a threat. But the Turks are without any of their players who have scored in this tournament today, either through injury or suspension. In fact, coach Tehram has said earlier that one option would be to put their third goalkeeper in the field. That would be fantastic to see at this level, some galoot of a keeper hoofing around the field.
You have to fancy the Germans in this one but this tournament has been big on the surprises, no bigger than that the Turks have advanced this far.
posted by gooner71 @ 8:15 AM
108 Comments:
I'm really looking forward to it. The Turks have barely got a side to put out, as Gooner mentioned. But after several thrilling escapes, I'm not going to be brave to rule them out entirely. Still, I'm plumping for the Germans to win the whole thing now.
Here are the sides for today's match:
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski, Klose
Subs: Enke, Adler, Jansen, Fritz, Westermann, Frings, Gomez, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor, Kuranyi
Turkey: Rustu, Sarioglu, Topal, Zan, Balta, Aurelio, Kazim-Richards, Altintop, Akman, Boral, Senturk
Subs: Zengin, Cetin, Emre, Karadeniz, Metin, Gungor, Erdinc, Nihat
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Joachim Low is back on the bench for today's match and he's cleverly left Mario Gomez there too. Klose and Podolski up front, with Schweinsteiger wide and Ballack bombing in from deep.
The Turks start with Senturk up front. He was the sub who came off the bench in the last match and did the Houdini act against Croatia.
I see they've put Nihat back together with sticky tape too.
So much for that wooley nonsense that Frings would play with the broken rib.
Yeah, but I don't expect to see Nihat until the last-minute miracle stage.
I'm actually starting to feel sorry for Tommy Smyth. He's been consigned to the studio with Julie Foudy and Reece Davis. Andy Gray will be color guy for the last three matches of the tournament. Poor old Tommy's really been found out in this tournament.
It had to happen. The guy should just retire and help ESPN with the decision. Healey and Gray have been better so maybe Rae will have to team up with Shep Messing now.
Ooh, I hope not. Shep bugs the hell out of me. I'd prefer Derek and Seamus Malin doing the Champions League stuff but somehow Tommy doesn't bother me quite as much in that competition.
Are you watching at home or chipping in comments from work?
And we're off with this first semi-final!
The Turks are definitely getting stuck right in from the start. They hope to keep it tight until the end and then go for the balls-out heroic exploits at the death.
Kazim Richards has a go from distance. Easily grabbed by Lehman.
I'm really surprised that the Germans haven't tried to go for a big killer blow right from the start. If anything, the Turks have had the brighter start!
Oh, it's off the bar from Kazim Richards. Lehman was stranded. It was a great hit from Kazim after a set-up from Altintop.
Hey Bob, I am here.
I got in the house just as Kazim Kazim hit the crossbar
First free kick chance for Germany. Hitzlsperger swings it in and Rustu collects.
Hey, mate! Yeah it's been a strange start from the Germans. They've let the Turks come on to them and have just started to go through the gears in the last couple of minutes.
I reckon that Kazim's tired of Istanbul and fancies a transfer to a Premiership side. He'll get it too if he helps the Turks beat the Germans today.
Oh my gosh, the Turks have scored.
Where was the defending!!!
GOAL! Boral tucks in after another shot comes back off the woodwork.
1-0 Turkey! Wow!
To be fair that was a flukey shot by Senturk that kind of looped over Lehman and onto the bar. And then Boral kind of scuffed it in under Lehman's arm. He's got to be gutted.
What the hell are the Germans playing at? They're playing against the Turkish B-team!
Oooh, Mehmet Aurelio nearly nodded in a second there from a corner. Incredible!
The Germans get the goal back.
This could be bad news for the Turks
GOAL! 1-1! It's against the run of play but what a lovely goal on the break there. Podolski ran onto a long ball out left and then the ball into Schweinsteiger and what a lovely deft touch from the Pigclimber.
Game on! Let's have a bag more of goals. I'm loving it.
Did you see this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RsQg1dnwiY
Another free kick opportunity for the Germans...
Cleared out by the Turkish defense.
Fateh should invest in a bit of deodorant.
Take a look at that video later.
It takes over three minutes
This is end to end
That's excellent stuff. I love it! The original film was actually really good and the guy who played Hitler was quality.
The Turks almost get in again!! Lehman almost caught out
What's Mad Jens playing at now?
What was the movie?
Hey, I didn't know Hitler hated Fergie so much
Have you been watching the Wimbledon? It's been great stuff so far in the first three days. The third seed on the men's side went out this morning. And the top women's seed Ivanova got a total let-off with a net-cord.
ooh, Podolski gets a great chance and misses. Where is the defense?
I thought semis were cagey affairs
I have been watching it in my classroom. I love having it on ESPN instead of HBO. I don't have HBO
It's called "Downfall." It's Bruno Ganz as Hitler. He's been in a load of movies so you may recognize him. It's basically the last few week's of Hitler's life in the bunker under Berlin while their war effort is falling apart.
I hope that tomorrow's match is open like this one too.
Now the Turks have a free kick chance, with Lahm high-kicking Kazim.
By the way, you need to spell the tennis tournament how a LOT of Americans on TV and radio pronounce it.
It is how all Nocitos say it now
Wimpleton
Yeah, the ESPN commentary has been quality. I do miss having the John McEnroe commentary on the Beebs. But he's doing the 606 Wimbledon stuff.
Boy, he whacked that!! Punched out by Mad L.
Wimpleton? That's pathetic.
Remember this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ2mJPSccvo
Oh, nearly a neat one-two there for the Turks.
And now the Germans are bombing forward.
Now Sabri has a pop. And Andy's right. The Turks have been magnificent in this tournament. Loads of fun to watch.
You just listen to them. So many say Wimpleton or Wimbleton. It just bugs me. THEY ARE SPORTS PEOPLE. KNOW YOUR STUFF
Overground, underground, Wombling free.
The Wombles of WIMBLEDON common are we...la la la
Blimey, Frings is coming on, broken rib and all!
That video was great!!
I actually was singing along with it.
How on earth do I know them?
No, Rolfes has soldiered on with a huge gash in his head. He'll carry on until half-time and then perhaps Frings will come on in the second half.
Boy, I am watching all the links of shows.
Double Deckers. I remember that show too.
You don't remember them? That was a huge TOTP novelty hit. Ask your brother. I'll bet that he's even run in to Mike Batt on one or another occasion. He was the genius behind the Wombles.
That's it at half.
Very good half of football
Half-time: 1-1. Well, that fairly fizzed by in a hurry. Let's have more of the same. The Turks have come to play and have taken the Germans to task. They really should be two up.
I remember the Wombles really well. I was saying that I remembered all the words
Oh, I see. I'm surprised that you didn't have a go at the trivia this week. The Gooner beat you to it but there's still one more to guess.
Second half starting....
The Turks have the first chance from a free kick here.
Fateh's going to need another two or three fresh shirts at this rate.
Penalty?
THat was a foul, inside the box?
I'm not convinced that Andy's right there. I'd have that outside the box.
Look at this
I used to watch this show!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvZYBcQsfms&feature=related
Senturk goes into the book there for a late hack on Frings.
I like the idea of the yellow cards get wiped out for the semi
Who is that pillock Geoffrey in the rainbow jumper. He looks like Cheggers.
Are you listening to what they are saying???
Everything is unbelievable!!!
Now Ballack's got a free kick in a very promising position...
Ballack to take...and straight into the bottom of the wall. What happened to the laser beam shot?
The fans in the FanZone look depressed.
It did seem a bit risque for a kid's show. That "four-skin" reference for example.
Bloody hell! The feed's gone!
Power problems in Switzerland!!
YOu can listen to Rainbow
Not just Four Skin.
EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS RAUNCHY!!
This is from the Beeb
2103: Ah. The lightening appears to have got to the TV signal. I'll press on though. Terrific. Turkey have a free-kick 40 yards out but Hamit Altintop's effort is destined for the stands.
We're back
So, Dave, do you have a special friend who'll play with your twanger?
it is stunning
Did you hear the banging.
Banging is fun
It's about time for Fateh to throw the third string keeper on as a striker.
I've always thought so.
I've got that "Rainbow" music in my head now. I do remember that theme.
Under twenty minutes to go
I agree with Andy - it's time for Low to try another striker. You know that the Turks are good for a late goal.
We're out again!!!
Lost the feed again!!!
Bloody hell - we missed the Klose goal! Germany 2-1!
Bugger, we missed a German's goal
Bloody hell - the Turks have equalized.... and we missed it too!
It looks like Fateh's having to be resuscitated on the sideline!
THE TURKS TIE IT JUST IN TIME!!!
But no goal
Three minutes left plus stoppage time.
What a mistake by Rusto for the Klose goal.
From the Beeb
BBC 5 Live's Alan Green's just stated Klose has headed Germany into the final - which I think counts as writing off Turkey. Bad idea, Greeney.
Do you like the Greece and Turkey stories or do you want the regulars?
Neat little finish from Senturk at the near post. Lehman should have had the post covered though.
GOAL! Philip Lahm has surely won it now for Germany!
3-2! Great finish.
Lahm scores a great movement goal and finish
Still time!!!
BUGGER!!!
Picture gone again!!
At least this is world wide and not just the US
And of course the feed's gone out. If the Turks equalize again, I'm not going to be happy.
I'd rather watch the fans outside the ground than listen to Tommy and Julie.
Have Turkey just been Turkey-ed?
93rd minute... we think
Deep into stoppage time...
It's over
Well done Turkey.
They have played with a lot of heart
Full-time: Germany 3 Turkey 2.
Whew! It was gripping even when the feed went out.
Wait a minute, it wasn't over and now it is!!
This is Benny Hillish
So, who do you want to meet Germany in the Final?
That was a bit anticlimactic at the end. At at the full-time whistle, I got a phone call. Sorry, mate.
I'd like to see a Spain vs. Germany final. You?
Cheers!
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