Turkey have relied on some very German qualities to get into the semi-finals of the European Championship, and now it will have the chance to test them against the three-time champions when the two teams meet for a spot in the final today.
Turkey coach Fatih Terim will need some ingenuity just to put a healthy team on the field because his squad is decimated by injuries and suspensions. Up to nine regular starters could be out, depending on some late fitness checks.
In such circumstances, the hopes for an upset look very slim. Germany coach Joachim Loew has a full-strength squad to choose from for today’s match in Basle after midfielder Torsten Frings recovered sufficiently from a broken rib. But Loew has coached in Turkey and has warned his players about the passion in Turkey’s game.
After staging three amazing comebacks to reach the semi-finals, even an injury-ravaged Turkey will be confident heading into the game, Loew said.
“All teams in the semi-finals have a certain class. I know Turkish players and the conditions there from my own experience,” Loew said. “They become euphoric, especially if things are going their way. They have national pride, very high morale and they play until the end, the very last minute. It will be very hard.
“I’ll warn my players that Turks believe until the end that they can win the game.”
Turkey equalised against Croatia with the last kick of the quarter-final game. Having gone behind in the 119th minute, Turkey still went on to win the penalty shootout.
“They never give up,” Loew said. “They always believe they can turn it around. Some people did not expect them to come back but they have incredible morale.”
Loew said Turkey in a way was a more difficult team than highly fancied Portugal, which Germany beat 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
“The Portuguese were easier to figure out. The Turks are more creative and don’t stick to their positions so much,” Loew said.
Germany, seeking a record fourth title, have distinguished themselves in the past with their ability to rise to the occasion, play at full throttle until the final whistle and mental toughness, attributes that have applied to Turkey so far in the tournament as well.
Although Turkey are severely depleted, Loew said his players will not go into the match with over confidence.
“They have 20 very good players and those who play will be highly motivated and we’ll have to summon up all our resources,” Loew said.
Loew has not said whether he will revert to the usual 4-4-2 rotation or remain with the 4-5-1 system used against Portugal that worked well, with Miroslav Klose as the lone striker supported by Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the wings.
“It’s not the system, it’s the commitment that counts,” Loew said. “We may go back to two strikers. Or Three. Or never change a winning team.”
Turkey will need another miracle to reach the final of a major tournament for the first time, especially with forward Arda Turan and midfielder Tuncay Sanli suspended and star striker Nihat Kahveci out with a thigh injury. Brazilian-born midfielder Mehmet Aurelio will return from suspension.
Since it can use any help it can, Turkey was glad for some inside information. Hamit Altintop plays for Bayern Munich, as do five players from the German team.
“Hamit is giving us useful information every day,” Turkey forward Semih Senturk said. “It’s a very special match for him of course, as it is for all of us. He told us some interesting things on the German players.”
Senturk came on as a substitute last Friday to score Turkey’s equaliser against Croatia. With Nihat out, Senturk looks a certain starter against Germany.
“That goal gave the whole team a lot of confidence,” Senturk said. “But in the end, it’s not important who scores the goals. It only matters that you win matches. We are determined to do that against Germany as well. I think they will be very cautious on Wednesday.
“We are proud of our success so far, but we definitely want to go one step further now.”