| I don't think they'll do anything - but what do I know?!?! |
SQUAD (provisional)
| Goalkeepers
Rustu Recber
Fevzi Tuncay
Omer Catkic
|
Defenders
Fatih Akyel
Hakan Unsal
Alpay Ozalan
Ogun Temizkanoglu
Osman Ozkoylu
Okan Buruk
Sergen Yalcin
|
Midfielders
Umit Davala
Ergun Penbe
Suat Kaya
Abdullah Ercan
Ayhan Akman
Tayfur Havutcu
Mustafa 'Muzzy' Izzet
Tugay Kerimoglu
Tayfun Korkut
|
Strikers
Hakan Sukur
Arif Erdem
Oktay Derelioglu
|
|
EURO 2000 TEAM STATISTICS
|
|
| Team Stats |
|
Games Played:
|
4 |
Red Cards : |
1 |
Yellow Cards : |
7 |
Shots On Target : |
15 |
Shots Off Target : |
19 |
Fouls Committed : |
54 |
Fouled : |
52 |
Corners Won : |
12 |
Corners Against : |
10 |
|
Player Stats |
|
Goalkeepers |
|
Player
|
Minutes Played
|
Goals Conceded
|
Clean Sheets
|
Shots Saved
|
Penalties Saved
|
Shootout Saves
|
Shootout Goals Conceded
|
|
1
|
Rustu Recber |
360
|
4
|
2
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
12
|
Omer Catkic |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
21
|
Fevzi Tuncay |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Outfield |
|
Player
|
Minutes Played
|
Goals Scored
|
Assists
|
Red Cards
|
Yellow Cards
|
Shots on Target
|
Shots off Target
|
Fouls Committed
|
Fouls Against
|
| 2 |
Tayfur Havatchu |
323 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
| 3 |
Ogun Temizkanoglu |
318 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
| 4 |
Fatih Akyel |
360 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
| 5 |
Alpay Ozalan |
299 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
| 6 |
Arif Erdem |
247 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
| 7 |
Okan Buruk |
318 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| 8 |
Tugay Kerimoglu |
82 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 9 |
Hakan Sukur |
360 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
| 10 |
Sergen Yalcin |
118 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| 11 |
Tayfun Korkut |
313 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
| 13 |
Osman Ozkoylu |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 14 |
Suat Kaya |
208 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
| 15 |
Muzzy Izzet |
58 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| 16 |
Ergun Penbe |
114 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| 17 |
Oktay Derelioglu |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 18 |
Ayhan Akman |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 19 |
Abdullah Ercan |
180 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
| 20 |
Hakan Unsal |
180 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
| 22 |
Umit Davala |
123 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
24th June
Turkey negotiate road to heart of Europe
FROM KEVIN McCARRA IN AMSTERDAM (The Times
IN THE clash of cultures, Turkey used to be the ones reeling away clutching their wounds. The record against teams from Western Europe was a catalogue of hurt and Mustafa Denizli, the coach, carries the scars on his soul. In a previous, brief spell in the post he took the side to Wembley, in 1987, and supervised an 8-0 defeat by England.
"That motivated us greatly," he said yesterday. "We needed a change of philosophy and although we lost, it gave us new horizons. Victories are acquired from such experiences." There is nothing trite about that sentiment and the depth of its truth will be felt this afternoon. The rout by England was in a European championship qualifying game, but now his side will enter the semi-finals of Euro 2000 if they beat Portugal.
While they have an ardent wish to become members of the European Union, Turkey were slow to adapt themselves to the ways of football in Europe. The means of preparation and the habits of thought required had to be learnt painstakingly. In a nation that had not pledged itself to the sport, the setbacks would have seen people abandon interest in the game. Despite a win and a draw against Holland, Turkey had to yield to Belgium in the attempt to reach the 1998 World Cup.
The recurring misery was virtually intolerable for a country whose streets are a throng of promise. At 65 million, Turkey possesses the largest population of any of the countries remaining at Euro 2000. These are rich waters for anyone fishing for talent and, apart from Hakan Sukur, men such as Alpay, the centre half, and Rüstü, the goalkeeper, rank with the most effective players in this competition.
Youth development is in full swing in a country with an extraordinarily young population, and television companies fight for the privilege of pouring in fortunes. The affluence, according to reports, funded a bonus payment to each player of £130,000 and a Range Rover for clinching a place at Euro 2000.
It has been an achingly slow process for Turkey to become the side they ought to be. Knowledge had to be grafted on and both Denizli and Fatih Terim, whose Galatasaray side won the Uefa Cup last month, progressed under the tutelage of mentors. With the national team, Denizli was once assistant to Sepp Piontek, the former Denmark coach. At Galatasaray, Terim used to hold the same position under Jupp Derwall, the former Germany coach.
Turkey still endeavour to implant foreign experience, such as Nevio Scala, who has coached Parma and Borussia Dortmund and is now at Besiktas. The need, however, is lessening.
Denizli is an acute tactician who will not tolerate distractions. Tugay was sent home from Euro 2000 after throwing a tantrum when he was substituted. Denizli will become coach of Fenerbahçe next season and had considered buying Tugay, the Rangers midfield player, but his name has been struck from the list of possible signings.
Yesterday Denizli observed that, in the eyes of experts, Portugal are the best side at Euro 2000, yet despite firing off compliments, the coach gave the impression that he has live ammunition to aim at them in Amsterdam this afternoon. "We will try to avoid making mistakes," he said, "and I think we will be successful. We have come here with faith, not fear."
Denizli appears to be resentful of the vast, yet intemperate support for his side. Following both the defeat by Italy and the pestilential 0-0 draw with Sweden, he complained about the hostility of the fans. The joy of the win over Belgium has not entirely mollified him.
Turkey qualified through the play-offs and they are the only side to have found the corridor that leads from that back door to the last eight. They were runners-up to Germany in their qualifying group and the national team takes second place in other respects as well. The country's fascination is reserved for the exploits of the club sides.
Denizli's successors will have limited scope to improve Turkey. "In future," he said, "we will not play friendly games. The public does not pay enough attention to them." Today, though, Denizli will be the subject of as much attention as a man can withstand.
LONDON (June 19, 2000 9:01 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Turkish football supporters celebrated their team's qualification for the Euro 2000 quarterfinals by attacking two bars where England fans were drinking Monday evening, the Press Association reported in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
With the England team already threatened with expulsion by UEFA if its fans misbehave again, it remains to be seen if the European football governing body will take a similarly tough line with the Turkey team, which will play Portugal in the quarterfinals.
Two bars where English fans were drinking were attacked in the Rue de la Fourche in Brussels, a few hundred yards from the Grand Place.
There were about a dozen English drinkers in the Au Pot Carre when a group of between 50 and 60 Turks hurled bricks through the window as well as a car tire, complete with its wheel.
Bar owner Thierry de Groot said: "The English were totally faultless. They had been drinking quietly then the Turkish stormed the bar."
Seven England fans were drinking in the Lop Lop bar further down the street when it was targeted
Its English owner Andy Barrett, 52, said: "The Turks smashed six windows but they are reinforced so we managed to stop them getting in.
"The English people inside were rushed upstairs to a back room by our staff."
The drinkers included an Englishman, Graham Anstiss, who was with his 14-year-old son, Damian.
He said: "My son was terrified and we were terrified for him. If they had got at us they would have battered us all."
Another drinker, Damian Philbert, said: "Tell me this, how many of the 900 English fans deported from here have rammed an iron bar through a window when people are drinking in a bar?"
A Canadian who was in the Lop Lop, Rene Laryea, 34, from Montreal, said: "I think this could have been avoided if the police had done their job better.
"I saw them drinking water in the bars around the Grand Place when they should have been on every street corner. There would have been a catastrophe if the Turks had got in to this bar."
(Nando)
(I know that that had little to do with the football, but it seemed relevant considering the circumstances England find themselves in. Horses for courses, UEFA??)
19th June
Turkey achieved the greatest win in its soccer history by beating Belgium 2-0 Monday to reach the Euro 2000 quarterfinals, knocking out the co-hosts in the process.
Turkey's victory, its first in the finals in six matches, was secured by a goal in either half from Hakan Sukur. It marked one of the biggest upsets since the competition began in 1960 and it crowned a sensational month for Turkish soccer.
On May 17 Galatasaray lifted the UEFA Cup to become the first Turkish team to win a European club competition and Monday's win confirms that victory was no fluke.
The win was achieved with half the Galatasaray team. No matter what happens in the quarterfinal against Portugal Saturday, the team will go home with its heads held high after heavy criticism from fans earlier in the tournament.
"This is the best achievement in 77 years of Turkish soccer history. Those who criticized the team and myself forgot we had an open return ticket home," coach Mustafa Denizli said.
"This is a great gift for the whole of Turkey. This is a victory for the whole Turkish nation."
The result represents a shattering blow for Belgian soccer, which was riding a wave of "Europhoria" after winning the tournament's opening match 2-1 against Sweden.
They finished the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Filip De Wilde, who has had a nightmarish tournament, was sent off in the 84th minute for a reckless assault on Arif Erdem.
The goalkeeper rushed out of his area like a man possessed and stuck his arm into Erdem's neck when he realized he had mistimed his run and Erdem had the beating of him.
It was his second calamity of the match after gifting Turkey their first goal in injury time at the end of the first half when he totally misjudged the fight of a high ball into his box. Sukur headed home.
It was the second time De Wilde had made a bad mistake in front of his own supporters at the King Baudouin Stadium.
He gifted Sweden a goal in the opening match too by stepping on the ball in the process of clearing it - but at least Belgium, 2-0 up at the time, held on to beat Sweden.
This time there was no escape but there was forgiveness as manager Robert Waseige shook him by the hand before he disappeared down the tunnel to the jeers of the Belgian fans.
"De Wilde played very well until the first goal and I wouldn't blame him for the goal either. The defense should have dealt with the ball before it bounced," Waseige said.
But the goalkeeper was disconsolate. "We are deeply disappointed and for me personally it's terrible. Two bad mistakes in three games at this level is way too many," he said.
After a positive start to the tournament, Belgium lost to Italy 2-0 and are now out of the competition.
Belgium had 20 shots on goal compared to Turkey's five. As well as a series of near-misses, they had a goal disallowed after 24 minutes when Emile Mpenza rifled home after a rebound from the goalkeeper, only to be judged offside.
Turkey, which started with a 2-1 defeat by Italy and gained its first European Championship point in a dire 0-0 draw with Sweden, began to play cleverly.
Denizli has changed his formation more than any other coach at this tournament and did so again just before halftime when he replaced Tugay Kerimoglu with Havutcu Tayfur.
He added more steel to the midfield and helped Turkey counter Belgium's attacking forays.
When the ball made its way through the backline goalkeeper Rustu Recber pulled off a series of glorious saves including two point-blank blocks from Mpenza and Bart Goor.
Sukur, who had scored 26 goals in his previous 54 internationals, has never scored two as important as these.
After heading Belgium ahead, he secured victory with a second after 70 minutes when Havutcu sprung the Belgian offside trap, played it to Suat Kaya, who found Hakan Sukur unmarked to slam the ball home first time with his left foot.
In a full-blooded match that had just about everything, play was held up shortly before halftime when referee Kim Milton Nielsen had to leave the field with a groin strain. He was replaced by fourth official Guenter Benko.
(Nando)
11th June
Penalty was a lucky call - Inzaghi
June 11, 2000
Italy match-winner Filippo Inzaghi admitted that the controversial penalty that gave his side an opening 2-1 Euro 2000 victory over Turkey was a lucky call.
"We saw the television replays of the penalty. The guy blocked my path. At that point I couldn't just disappear. Luckily the referee whistled," the Juventus striker said.
"Sometimes it can go the other way."
Italy captain Paolo Maldini said that Scottish referee Hugh Dallas had surprised him when he pointed to the spot after Inzaghi was downed by Turkish captain Ogun Temizkanoglu in the 68th minute.
Inzaghi converted to make the score 2-1 as the largely Turkish crowd behind the goal whistled furiously and threw plastic bottles and other objects on the field.
"It was strange because this referee never used the whistle," said Maldini. "Sometimes it happens to you and sometimes to the other team.
"But we deserved to win, definitely."
Dallas made no bookings during the match and generally waved play on in a lively encounter at the Gelredome.
Turkish coach Mustafa Denizli said he did not believe the penalty should have been given.
"According to my position on the bench I didn't have a good view but I don't think it was a penalty. But another opinion from our team is that Sergen (Yalcin) says it was a penalty," he said.
"I am not in a position to say much but I saw two decisions that changed the fate of the match. But I might be wrong."
copyright Reuters
| Sing-a-long-a-anthem
Fear not, the crimson flag, waving in these dans will never fade
Before the last hearth that is burning in my nation vanishes
That is my nation's star; it will shine
That is mine, it belongs solely to my nation
Oh coy crescent, frown not or I am ready to sacrifice myself for you!
Please smile upon my heroic nation, why that anger, why that rage?
If you frown, our blood shed for you will not be worthy.
|
TURKISH TV DINNER
Lamb Kebab with Yoghurt
900 g mutton; 3 Pides (slightly leavened bread); 5 tbs butter or margarine; 2 medium tomatoes (very ripe)
Sauce: 500 g plain natural yoghurt; 1 large tomato; 6 green peppers; 1/2 tbs red pepper
Heat both sides of the Pides gently on a grill, cut into cubes, put them on a preheated plate and mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter. Marinate the cubed meat in onion juice and olive oil then skewer them leaving 1/2 inch between each cube. Place skewers two inches above moderate coal fire and grill all sides until golden brown for about five minutes. Peel and dice the tomatoes, then cook gently for two minutes. Spread the cooked tomato sauce on the Pides and cover with beaten yoghurt. Place the kebab decoratively on each plate, top with red pepper and melted butter. Slice the tomato and grill very gently, grill the green peppers well and use the two as the topping. Serve hot.
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