Football

Turkish high school history lessons recall stories of how only hundreds of brave Turkish soldiers, and not more, secured great victories against “the mighty armies of the western countries.” The stories may sound exaggerated, but a Turkish victory tonight on the football pitch will be no less important than David killing Goliath.

The Turkish national football squad takes on Germany tonight in Basel's St-Jakob Park Stadium in the semifinal of the 2008 European Championship, or EURO 2008. Turkey's path to the final seems a difficult one, not only because of the past Euro Cup success of the German opponent, which can boast of 10 appearances, three titles and two final losses, but also due to the number of injured and suspended Turkish players.

“Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win," legendary English footballer, Gary Lineker, once said, but the depleted Turks are ready to do anything to avoid that sort of destiny in Turkey's first-ever European semifinal.

The 23-man Turkish squad is now down to 13 players, the latest blow being striker Nihat Kahveci, who left the team Sunday to start treatment in Spain for a groin injury. In addition to Nihat, Emre Güngör will also miss out on the game, and the presence of three other players, Servet Çetin, Emre Belözoğlu and Tümer Metin remains extremely doubtful.

Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel will be suspended for the second and last time due to his two-match suspension for a red card. Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan are also suspended after picking up two yellow cards each.

The team has lost almost half of its players, but coach Fatih Terim, or “The Emperor,” a nickname the foreign press has taken over from the Turkish media, is confident that his side will have a shot against Germany as long as he can field 11 players. He even considers using third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin as an outfield player if necessary.

"He [Tolga] could come on toward the end as a sub as last man (in defense) or a center forward," Terim told reporters, and he is not worried about facing the three-time champion.

"We have shown several times already that we can achieve the impossible. I have faith in my team and in our ability to reach the final," said the Turkey coach.

Terim is a prominent, but also controversial figure in Turkish football. His squad selection for the tournament was heavily criticized in the Turkish media, and after Turkey lost its first game against Portugal 2-1, football pundits were ready to send him to the gallows. But the Turks' performance since that game has been sensational. After staging three amazing comebacks to reach the semifinals they are now called the “comeback kings,” and the man behind this success is no one other than Terim himself, whose motto is “nothing is impossible, miracles just take time.”

"Our coach is incredible, he doesn't let you get your head down,” said Kazım Kazım. “When you get your head down he shouts at you straight away and believe me, when that man shouts - you look. He's all about belief."

Turkey, with so many absentees in midfield, will be desperate to make best use of an “insider” against Germany: Hamit Altıntop, a German-Turk who plays for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. Altıntop thinks that team sprit will be the key to victory.

"I'm not worried about the absentees, our greatest strength is our emotion and passion,” said Altıntop. "There is an excellent spirit in the team. I'm sure we can progress to the final."

The coach believes in his team, the players are confident, the Turks all over the world are hopeful. They are all ready for a historic night, and a historic night it will be.