Turkey coach: Fatih Terim
The “Emperor”, aged 54, is in his second spell as Turkey coach. His first was from 1993 to 1996, when they qualified for Euro 96, the country’s first European Championship appearance.
As a central defender, Terim won 51 caps, mostly while with Galatasaray, and he enjoyed considerable success coaching his former club, winning four consecutive league titles and the 2000 UEFA Cup.
However, he had mixed success in Italy. His adventurous tactics impressed Fiorentina fans in 2000-01 but he lasted only five months at Milan in 2001-02.
Had a disappointing spell back at Galatasaray (2002-04) before returning to the national side in summer 2005.
What are your team’s chances at the finals?
I think we have a strong, quality team and therefore we have a chance like any other team at the tournament. Our first aim is qualifying for the next round. Once we’ve done that, everything is up for grabs. There’s no point aiming low. The Turkish people have high expectations of the national team and they can’t be blamed for that. We are proud and patriotic and have shown in the past decade that we can compete. I can’t have any other ambition than the European title.
What’s your assessment of the group?
Switzerland will, I’m sure, profit from playing in their own backyard. What’s more, they have a really good team. Their so-so results in friendlies will not have any relevance once the big event starts. Portugal were runners-up last time around and have many top performers, not only Cristiano Ronaldo. The Czechs are in the mix in all the important international tournaments. It’s a difficult group but what do you expect at a European Championship? Some think that if a group doesn’t contain France, Italy or Germany, it’s worthless. That’s very unfair. We must take all our opponents very seriously.
Which group match is going to be the most important for you?
In this kind of tournament the start is really important because when you have a good start, the rest falls into place. So I think the first game, against Portugal, is most vital.Your last meeting with Switzerland ended in violence. How do you see the rematch?
First of all, I’d like to commend my boys, who behaved like gentlemen throughout the [Euro] qualifiers. Relations between the Swiss and ourselves have relaxed since November 2005. I’m expecting an intense game but one based on fair play. The events of 2005 are forgotten. It’s best to move forward.
What do you hope for from the finals?
As always I want to have the best form team. We will try to go as far as we can so that our country will be happy with our success.
What makes you optimistic about your team?
Turkey had a difficult qualifying phase but the players acted like a team even in the most critical games. I’m convinced we saw a strong, spirited team come together during the qualifiers. It was no procession. We had our setbacks on the pitch, the press attacked us and we had to play three home games behind closed doors on neutral ground. The pressure was enormous. Yet we still found the
mental resources and heart to come through in the end. Euro 2008 represents another challenge, an even bigger one. But I think we know how to deliver when the heat’s on. The days when our only concern was not to lose have long gone. We know how to win.
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