Quarter-Final preview: Croatia v Turkey
Table of Contents
Croatia will go into Euro 2008 quarter-final against Turkey with tag as favorites.
They will defend their 100 percent record against Turkey's never-say-die attitude, which has worked astonishingly so far.
But Turkish coach Fatih Terim will face another hard work with only 17 players available on his side.
It is time to stop seeing Croatia as the dark horses in every major tournaments.
They come into this match as one of only three teams to have a 100% record in the group phase, along with Netherlands and Spain.
The Croats has a great chance to at least reach the semi-finals and considered as real contender for its first major title.
Croatia did amaze world football when they reached the quarter-final of Euro 96 only four years since they joined FIFA.
Two years later, it was certainly a bigger headlines caused by the Croats as they stunned Germany 3-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Croatia have been a footballing force for years now, having not lost at home in a competitive match since 1994 and being unbeaten since the start of qualifying for this tournament.
Croatia, having already qualified, were able to make nine changes for the match against Poland.
All nine of those rested could return for the quarter-final match with Darijo Srna and Ivan Rakitić are expected to be fit again after picking up slight injuries.
But defender Dario Knežević already ended his Euro campaign after injuring his knee ligaments against Poland.
Turkey, semi-finalists at 2002 World Cup, had their own problems as injuries and suspensions have taken seven players out of consideration.
Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is banned after his late sending off against Czech Republic.
Midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended as the 30-year-old Brazilian-born player picked up a second booking in the same match.
Defender Emre Güngör is out for the tournament after picking up a calf injury while Servet Çetin has also been ruled out.
Midfielder Tümer Metin will also miss the quarter-final match due to injury.
Turkey's troubles don't end there as Emre Aşık received a nasty head injury on Switzerland match.
Even they have been without injured captain Emre Belözoğlu since their opening match.
Volkan's absence meaning a recall for ex-Barcelona keeper Rüştü Reçber.
The former Turkish number one is one of the few surviving members of the Turkey side that reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.
Both sides have met on three prior occasions, with the most significant was their first encounter back in Euro 96 when the Croats won 1-0 in Nottingham.
The current Turkey coach Terim was also in charge of the team back then during his first spell as Turkish coach, while the Croatia coach Slaven Bilić was playing at central defense.
On paper Croatia are the favourites to go through but they need to be more cautious as Turkey already showed their reputation as the comeback kings.
Terim has stated that his team respect all teams, but feels his team have nothing to fear.
The match winners will meet Germany in the first semi-final next Wednesday.
Possible line-up
Also see:
They will defend their 100 percent record against Turkey's never-say-die attitude, which has worked astonishingly so far.
But Turkish coach Fatih Terim will face another hard work with only 17 players available on his side.
It is time to stop seeing Croatia as the dark horses in every major tournaments.
They come into this match as one of only three teams to have a 100% record in the group phase, along with Netherlands and Spain.
The Croats has a great chance to at least reach the semi-finals and considered as real contender for its first major title.
Croatia did amaze world football when they reached the quarter-final of Euro 96 only four years since they joined FIFA.
Two years later, it was certainly a bigger headlines caused by the Croats as they stunned Germany 3-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Croatia have been a footballing force for years now, having not lost at home in a competitive match since 1994 and being unbeaten since the start of qualifying for this tournament.
Croatia, having already qualified, were able to make nine changes for the match against Poland.
All nine of those rested could return for the quarter-final match with Darijo Srna and Ivan Rakitić are expected to be fit again after picking up slight injuries.
But defender Dario Knežević already ended his Euro campaign after injuring his knee ligaments against Poland.
Turkey, semi-finalists at 2002 World Cup, had their own problems as injuries and suspensions have taken seven players out of consideration.
Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is banned after his late sending off against Czech Republic.
Midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended as the 30-year-old Brazilian-born player picked up a second booking in the same match.
Defender Emre Güngör is out for the tournament after picking up a calf injury while Servet Çetin has also been ruled out.
Midfielder Tümer Metin will also miss the quarter-final match due to injury.
Turkey's troubles don't end there as Emre Aşık received a nasty head injury on Switzerland match.
Even they have been without injured captain Emre Belözoğlu since their opening match.
Volkan's absence meaning a recall for ex-Barcelona keeper Rüştü Reçber.
The former Turkish number one is one of the few surviving members of the Turkey side that reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.
Both sides have met on three prior occasions, with the most significant was their first encounter back in Euro 96 when the Croats won 1-0 in Nottingham.
The current Turkey coach Terim was also in charge of the team back then during his first spell as Turkish coach, while the Croatia coach Slaven Bilić was playing at central defense.
On paper Croatia are the favourites to go through but they need to be more cautious as Turkey already showed their reputation as the comeback kings.
Terim has stated that his team respect all teams, but feels his team have nothing to fear.
The match winners will meet Germany in the first semi-final next Wednesday.
Possible line-up
 | Croatia |  | Turkey | |
| 1 | Pletikosa | 1 | Rüştü | |
| 3 | Šimunić | 3 | Hakan Balta | |
| 4 | R. Kovač | 4 | Gökhan Zan | |
| 5 | Ćorluka | 6 | Mehmet Topal | |
| 7 | Rakitić | 8 | Nihat | |
| 10 | N. Kovač | 9 | Semih | |
| 11 | Srna | 14 | Arda Turan | |
| 14 | Modrić | 15 | Emre Aşık | |
| 18 | Olić | 17 | Tuncay | |
| 19 | Kranjčar | 18 | Kazım Kazım | |
| 22 | Pranjić | 22 | Altintop |
Please subscribe to our RSS feed to receive more updates. You can also subscribe by Email and enjoy our latest posts sent directly to your inbox.
Also see:
Post a Comment