Turkey
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After missing out on Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, this will be a very important tournament for Turkey. It not only gives the team the chance to prove that they belong on the top table of European football but also that their third place at the 2002 World Cup was no fluke.
It will also be important at an individual level. When Turkey appeared at Euro 96, their first major finals of modern times, not a single player had experience of playing for a foreign club. After Euro 2000, players such as Tugay Kerimoglu tried their luck abroad. By the time of the World Cup in South Korea and Japan the squad had several players in big foreign leagues, including Emre Belozoglu and Nihat Kahveci, both of whom are still abroad and important figures for Turkey. Euro 2008 offers a number of young, home-based stars the opportunity to show their talents.
The finals will also offer coach Fatih Terim, the “Emperor”, the chance to improve his standing. Although he has a good record at club level, especially from his time at Galatasaray, it is more mixed at national team level. True, he guided Turkey to that breakthrough appearance at Euro 96 during his first spell in charge, but the team lost all three games at the finals, failing even to score. Then, in his
current spell in charge, came the failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and the shameful brawl between the players at the
end of the qualifying play-off against Switzerland.
Terim can certainly take heart from a number of positives about his young team. Nihat, who scored critical goals in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, is in top form, and should be ably supported by fellow striker Tuncay Sanli. The coach also believes that the Altintop twins, Hamit and Halil, could come good at the finals. The team should also have plenty of support. At least 15,000 fans from all around Europe are expected to descend on Switzerland for the group games.
Opening match
Much rests on Turkey’s opening match of the tournament, against the unpredictable Portugal. Many pundits believe that if Turkey lose, reaching the next round will be almost impossible.
Interview with Turkey coach Fatih Terim
Interview with Turkey's Nihat Kahveci
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