Turks get their revenge against Swiss

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THREE years ago, Switzerland qualified for the World Cup with a tense win over Turkey. Now that the Turks have extracted their revenge, they are hoping for a berth in the European Championship quarterfinals.

"Tonight we reminded everyone a little bit about Turkey," coach Fatih Terim said after his team's 2-1 victory on Wednesday. "Against the Czech Republic, we will be unforgettable."

Arda Turan scored the winning goal in the second minute of injury time, sending a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off Swiss defender Patrick Mueller.

The loss eliminated co-host Switzerland from the tournament. The Alpine nation lost its opener to the Czech Republic 0-1 in a similarly close match.

"Of course the disappointment is huge," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said. "But I can't blame it on any player or anyone else. We lost twice unluckily."

Switzerland became only the second European Championship host to be eliminated before the last four. Euro 2000 co-host Belgium also failed to get through the group stage.

Substitute Semih Senturk also scored for Turkey, heading in a cross in the 57th minute, after Hakan Yakin had given Switzerland the lead in torrential rain in the 32nd.

"I did wish for rain to stop. I did pray to God for that," said Terim, who first thought the rain would help his team. "We couldn't predict mud in the middle of the summer."

Terim, known as the "Emperor," stopped short of predicting victory in the final group match on Sunday.

"God willing, we will win against Czech Republic and reach the next round," he said.

The match was the first between the two teams since an ugly brawl three years ago in Istanbul that brought a rash of suspensions, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter even threatening at one point to ban Turkey from the 2010 World Cup. Blatter, a Swiss native, backed down.

That match ended 4-4 on aggregate, but Switzerland won a berth in the World Cup on the away goals rule.

Both teams downplayed the history in the run-up to the match and said they were focusing solely on football.