Full strength Germany faces depleted Turkey

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-24  |     ONLINE EDITION

TURKEY has relied on some very German qualities to get into the semifinals of the European Championship, and now it will have the chance to test them against the three-time champions when the two teams meet for a spot in the final.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim will need some ingenuity just to put a healthy team on the field because his squad is decimated by injuries and suspensions. Up to nine regular starters could be out, depending on some late fitness checks.

In such circumstances, the hopes for an upset look very slim. Germany's coach Joachim Loew has a full-strength squad to choose from for Wednesday's match in Basel after midfielder Torsten Frings recovered sufficiently from a broken rib. But Loew has coached in Turkey and has warned his players about the passion in Turkey's game.

After staging three amazing comebacks to reach the semifinals, even an injury-ravaged Turkey will be confident heading into the game, Loew said yesterday.

"All teams in the semifinals have a certain class. I know Turkish players and the conditions there from my own experience," Loew said. "They become euphoric, especially if things are going their way. They have national pride, very high morale and they play until the end, the very last minute. It will be very hard.

"I'll warn my players that Turks believe until the end that they can win the game."

Turkey equalized against Croatia with the last kick of the quarterfinal game. Having gone behind in the 119th minute, Turkey still went on to win the penalty shootout.

"They never give up," Loew said. "They always believe they can turn it around. Some people did not expect them to come back but they have incredible morale."

Loew said Turkey in a way was a more difficult team than highly fancied Portugal, which Germany beat 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

"The Portuguese were easier to figure out. The Turks are more creative and don't stick to their positions so much," Loew said.