Surprise Group B winner Croatia faces Turkey in the Euro 2008 Soccer quarter-finals. Turkey, now famous for come-from behind wins, should be the favorite, as Croatia has been expected to lose before every match it's played. Still Croatia came through group play undefeatedno longer can Croatia call itself the underdog.
Turkey has shown that it can dig itself out of any hole in the last few minutes of the match. Possibly this shows a weaknesswhy did they fall behind?or a simple unwillingness to lose. Today will be the test.
Turkey's starting goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is serving a two-match suspension. Four other playersEmre Güngör, Servet Çetin, Emre Aşık and Gökhan Zanare out with injuries.
Croatia has an almost fairy-tale record of winning as the underdog, while Turkey has tale of the exciting last-minute comeback win. Someone's amazing story is going to come to an unhappy end tonight.
Turkey had the initial offensive advantage, keeping the ball in the Croatian end and getting several shots on net. Turkey's team play was first ratethe passes were on-target, and the players maneuvered to create good shots.
At 12 minutes Croatian midfielder Niko Kovač fouled Turkey's star forward Nihat Kahveci at the edge of the penalty area bringing on a free kick for Turkey. Kovač redeemed himself by bravely sacrificing his body, casting himself in the path of the kick, blocking it.
At 18 minutes Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić broke free down the right side of Turkey's penalty area, then laid a perfect cross to forward Ivica Olić. Olić beat Turkish keeper Rüştü Reçber but his shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out into play. Niko Kranjčar had a chance to score on the rebound but couldn't find the handle.
The game was quite physical, and the referees were kept busy with seven fouls per side. At 27 minutes, Turkey's Tuncay Şanlı received a yellow card, which would mean, with his total, that he would be forced to sit out the semi-final game should Turkey advance.
The Croatian attackers seemed to be faster than Turkey's defenders; Croatia could send long balls ahead from their own end, and beat the Turks back. Turkey managed to create opportunities with its precision passing, but couldn't finish.
With seconds left in the half, Turkish star Tuncay Şanlı took a kick in the left knee, sending him off the field. His loss would seriously imperil Turkey's chances.,
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