CROATIA 0 vs 0 TURKEY
(1 - 1 aet, 1 - 3 on penalties)
Croatia: Klasnic 29 ex
Turkey: Şentürk 30+2 ex
Entertainment value: 3/5
***
Oh man, 0 for 2, my predictions sucked. And it seemed that if you top your respective groups, it does not mean the next round will be easy for you as Portugal and after last night's match, Croatia, found out in their respective q-final ties.
Tureky seemed to want to do things the hard way, for the third time consecutive time coming from behind to inflict double the damage, and winning albeit on penalties, after a goalless score in regulation time and a score draw in extra time. Now, they are a game away from a magical final spot with Germany in their way in the semis, and who is to say they cannot come from behind again.
Much were made of Croatia's confidence, or excess of it, in the pre-match review in the local New Paper, but they were anything but confident against Turkey, where both made cagey and nervy starts. In fact, Croatia did not look like the team that beat England in qualifiers, nor the outfit that crushed Germany in the group match.
When Croatia took the lead in extra-time after a boring scoreless match in regulation time through Klasnic, coach Bilic was jumping ala Mourinho Porto 2004, but elation turned to dismay when the fighting spirit and determination of Turkey shone through, and Senturk equalised close to final whistle of extra time.
That meant penalty shoot-out and after stand-in goalkeeper Rustu Recber, villain for the Croatia goal, made some amends for his error in the shoot-out with the last save, Turkey were jubilated to be in the semi-finals. Croatia had actually blown it with two missed penalties, (Rustu guessed the right way) the shots were wide and Turkey converted all 3 spot-kicks.
So bye-bye Croatia after a promising campaign crashed so spectacularly and prematurely. Turkey was not expected to qualify from the group stage but they have outdone themselves with 3 determined performances to be at the semi-finals. All the best, Turkey.
***
akim the Italian fan
(1 - 1 aet, 1 - 3 on penalties)
Croatia: Klasnic 29 ex
Turkey: Şentürk 30+2 ex
Entertainment value: 3/5
***
Oh man, 0 for 2, my predictions sucked. And it seemed that if you top your respective groups, it does not mean the next round will be easy for you as Portugal and after last night's match, Croatia, found out in their respective q-final ties.
Tureky seemed to want to do things the hard way, for the third time consecutive time coming from behind to inflict double the damage, and winning albeit on penalties, after a goalless score in regulation time and a score draw in extra time. Now, they are a game away from a magical final spot with Germany in their way in the semis, and who is to say they cannot come from behind again.
Much were made of Croatia's confidence, or excess of it, in the pre-match review in the local New Paper, but they were anything but confident against Turkey, where both made cagey and nervy starts. In fact, Croatia did not look like the team that beat England in qualifiers, nor the outfit that crushed Germany in the group match.
When Croatia took the lead in extra-time after a boring scoreless match in regulation time through Klasnic, coach Bilic was jumping ala Mourinho Porto 2004, but elation turned to dismay when the fighting spirit and determination of Turkey shone through, and Senturk equalised close to final whistle of extra time.
That meant penalty shoot-out and after stand-in goalkeeper Rustu Recber, villain for the Croatia goal, made some amends for his error in the shoot-out with the last save, Turkey were jubilated to be in the semi-finals. Croatia had actually blown it with two missed penalties, (Rustu guessed the right way) the shots were wide and Turkey converted all 3 spot-kicks.
So bye-bye Croatia after a promising campaign crashed so spectacularly and prematurely. Turkey was not expected to qualify from the group stage but they have outdone themselves with 3 determined performances to be at the semi-finals. All the best, Turkey.
***
akim the Italian fan