Euro 2008
2008-06-25 - Germany vs Turkey
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Turkey have a mountain to climb when they tke on Germany in the first semi-final at Basel today. Fatih Terim's men are missing a host of players through injury and suspension as they take on Germany who are the favourite to go on and lift the trophy now.
The Turks have only managed to lead once in their previous four matches they have played in this competition and that too was just for one minute! Turkey came back from their opening day defeat to Portugal with a stoppage-time goal from Arda Turan against co-host Switzerland. Then they created one of the shocks of the championships when they scored three times in the final 15 minutes to stun the Czech Republic with Nihat Kahveci's winner coming in the 89th minute.
In their next match they looked dead and buried but once again came back from the dead when they look to be heading home as Ivan Klasnic struck for Croatia in the 119th minute of their quarter-final clash, only for Semih Senturk to level with the last kick of the game before a dramatic shoot-out triumph to reach the semi-finals.
Now Turkey who have been known as the comeback kings will aim to show that they can pull off the unthinkable and it would be foolish to write them off.
As for Germany even though their progress was not smooth to the last eight, but they deserve credit in beating Portugal in the quarter-finals. Having seen off Portugal who did not have a good defence then, Low must take advantage of the fact that Turkey will be depleted for this match with a makeshift defence here today.
Turkey have only 13 players available for this match and their coach Fatih Terim has even joked that third-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin could appear in an outfield role as a substitute towrads the end of the match if needed. The likes of Volkan Demirel, Tuncay Sanli, Arda and Emre Asik are all banned for this match while Nihat and Emre Gungor will play no further part in the tournament as they are out with injury. Emre Belozoglu is out with a hamstring tear, Servet Cetin is unlikely to feature due to a knee injury, while midfielder Tumer Metin is battling a groin problem which at best could see him make the substitute's bench.
Germany have a fully fit squad at their disposal and the good news is that midfielder Torsten Frings is available again after a broken rib kept him out of the victory over Portugal. Thomas Hitzlsperger or Simon Rolfes could go to the bench if Frings does make the starting eleven here today.
Even though Turkey has been fortunate to reach this far of the tournament so far, expect no favours from a fully fit German side here today.
Take Germany and give the 1 1/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Germany to win 2-0 or 3-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Germany to win here.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Germany and give the 1 1/4 ball here.
