A mediocre performance and a last-minute goal saw Germany into the final of Euro 2008, beating Turkey, who failed to pull off their trademark come-back.
The match eventually ended 3-2 in Germany's favour after a last-gasp shot from Lahm found the back of the net, with Turkey having been ahead for much of the match.
With over a million people of Turkish decent in Germany, a storm-clouded Basle saw an interesting match up. The storm force was so strong that it caused blackouts for large portions of the game in the second half.
The start saw Turkey open with some attacking play and just before the ten minute mark Kazim Richards (who plays under the name Kazim Kazim) chased down a defender's clearance to get a shot in from the six yard box, which was smothered by the keeper.
Richards then had a powerful shot bounce off the bar 5 minutes later from 10 yards out.
Germany then enjoyed a spell of attacking play, but conceded a goal when Turkey got men forward on the break. A lofted shot bounced off the woodwork to the waiting Ugur Boral who shot through Lehmann's legs from close range.
After a some more open play, Germany leveled the score. Lukas Podolski hit a low diagonal ball into space across the German area to Bastian Schweinsteiger who beat the defender to poke a shot across the keeper and into the net.
English-born Richards always looked a threat and gave the German deference a difficult time.
Just after the half hour mark Germany broke and beat the offside trap after some sustained pressure from the opposition. Lukas Podolski sprinted down the left wing, eschewing the option of playing the ball square to Miroslov Klose, instead taking the shot himself, which cleared the bar by inches
Ten minutes before the end of the first half, Boral had a free kick on the right side of the German area, which forced a great save from Lehmann.
Shortly afterwards Simon Rolfes drew blood when he went in hard with a header against Ayhan Akman, leaving both players needing treatment.
With seventy minutes of the game gone Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger blasted a shot just wide of the goal.
Then Klose headed a cross from Lahm leaving goal keeper Rustu in no-mans land, from where he could only watch as the ball hit the net, taking Germany into the lead for the first time in the match
Turkey were quick to bring the score level again. Sabri Sarıoğlu weeved some magic down the right wing right up to the touch line, then passed a low square ball to Semih who threaded the ball into the back of the net from the slightest of angles.
Then in the last minute of full time, came Germany's moment of triumph. Lahm played a massive one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger, finishing by hitting hard on the near side to take them onto the final.
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