Turkey squad
Goalkeepers
RUSTU Recber
10.05.73
Besiktas
115 caps (0 goals)
Highly experienced keeper but has had some injury problems and is likely to lose the No 1 jersey to Volkan. Famous for the black stripes he paints under his eyes to deflect the stadium light.
Alex MANNINGER
10.10.83
Trabzonspor
2 caps (0 goals)
Came to prominence at Trabzonspor at the start of last season, earning him three call-ups for senior international friendlies.
VOLKAN Demirel
27.10.81
Fenerbahce
19 caps (0 goals)
Set to take the starting place after a great season in the League and Champions League. Strong physically but also has quick reactions. Has now cut his hair, which he used to wear long.
Defenders
EMRE Asik
13.12.73
Ankaraspor
26 caps (2 goals)
Back in the squad after a five-year absence. Strong in the air, tackles cleanly and good in one-on-one duels. One of the few to have played for Turkey’s big three – Galatasaray, Fener and Besiktas.
Emre GUNGOR
01.08.84
Galatasaray
1 caps (0 goals)
The promising young centre-back is likely to earn his first senior call-up on the back of his performances at Galatasaray this season, having been a regular at under-21 level.
GOKHAN Gonul
04.01.85
Fenerbahce
4 caps (0 goals)
The rising star of Turkish football. Can play at right-back or on the right wing. Very mobile and crosses well. Has an eagle tattoo on his left foot – the symbol of Besiktas, Fener’s rivals!
GOKHAN Zan
07.09.81
Besiktas
17 caps (0 goals)
Tall, quick central defender, good in the air and a certain starter – if fit: he is nicknamed Glass Man because of his frequent injuries. A target for many top European clubs.
HAKAN Balta
23.03.83
Galatasaray
5 caps (0 goals)
Skilful, athletic left-back who crosses well and has a good shot. Balta means hammer in Turkish but, in fact, he has good technique. Has boosted Galatasaray, whom he joined from Manisaspor.
SERVET Cetin
17.03.81
Galatasaray
28 caps (1 goal)
Tall, pacy first-choice centre-back. A good marker and also a goal threat at corners. Played for Fenerbahce but made his name at Sivasspor before signing for Galatasaray.
Midfielders
ARDA Turan
30.01.87
Galatasaray
16 caps (0 goals)
The wonderboy of domestic football in recent years. Loves dribbling and can play on either wing. Will probably start on the left at the finals. Came through the Galatasaray youth ranks.
Ayhan AKMAN
23.02.77
Galatasaray
9 caps (1 goals)
His aggressive playing style has shown him capable of playing in a variety of roles in midfield at Galatasaray, where has won three league championship medals.
EMRE Belozoglu
07.09.80
Newcastle (Eng)
53 caps (4 goals)
The little left-footer is renowned for his skills but has never quite delivered for Turkey and has not been in good form for Newcastle. Can have disciplinary problems but will start nevertheless.
KAZIM KAZIM
26.08.86
Fenerbahce
1 caps (0 goals)
London-born Colin Kazim-Richards signed for Fenerbahce from Sheffield United last year. Grabbed the headlines at the start of April with a spectacular goal against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals.
MEHMET Aurelio
15.12.77
Fenerbahce
17 caps (1 goal)
Naturalised Brazilian whose inclusion in the team has attracted a lot of criticism. Tireless ball-winning midfielder who also gets involved in attacks and has leadership qualities. A first-choice.
Sabri SARIOGLU
26.07.84
Galatasaray
12 caps (1 goal)
Indefatigable young right-winger with a good left foot. However, his disciplinary problems might cost him a starting place. One of Galatasaray’s young stars. Can also play at right-back.
TUMER Metin
14.10.74
Larisa (Gre)
23 caps (7 goals)
Did well in the qualifiers, including scoring vital goals. Accused of joining Larisa to avoid serving in the Turkish army. Antagonistic towards the press and has a tattoo reading: “Only god can judge me.”
UGUR Boral
14.04.82
Fenerbahce
7 caps (0 goals)
Skilful left-winger who crosses well and whose pace has earned him the nickname Son of the Wind. But likely to be only a reserve to Arda.
Forwards
Martin HARNIK
25.02.87
Sochaux (Fra)
3 caps (0 goal)
Fatih Terim called up Mevlut to the senior side for the first time against Belarus in March. The 21-year-old, who also holds French nationality, was Sochaux’s top scorer last season.
NIHAT Kahveci
23.11.79
Villarreal (Spa)
53 caps (14 goals)
One of the best strikers in Europe and Turkey’s most important player. Fast, skilful and has a powerful right-foot shot. Nicknamed El Turco by the Spanish.
SEMIH Senturk
29.04.83
Fenerbahce
3 caps (0 goals)
Talented striker who has been the top Turkish scorer in the domestic league this term despite mainly starting on the bench. Dubbed
The Lifeguard because of his late goals for Fener.
TUNCAY Sanli
16.01.82
Middlesbrough (Eng)
50 caps (13 goals)
Forward with good dribbling skills who favours the left wing but can also play on the right. Fighting for a starting berth with Arda. Hit a hat-trick for Fener against Man Utd in the Champions League.
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