World NewsTurkey End Croatia's Hopes |
TURKEY set up a meeting with Germany in the Euro 2008 semi-finals by beating Croatia on penalties after an extraordinary climax to the last-eight showdown in Vienna.
TURKEY set up a meeting with Germany in the Euro 2008 semi-finals by beating Croatia on penalties after an extraordinary climax to the last-eight showdown in Vienna.
Rustu Recber saved Mladen Petric's spot-kick in the shoot-out, after Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic had already missed, to send Turkey into the last four of the European Championship for the first time.
Croatia enjoyed the better chances during normal time and should have taken the lead in the first half when Ivica Olic hit the crossbar from close range following excellent work by Modric.
Towards the end of the second half, Turkey keeper Rustu produced a flying one-handed save to turn away Darijo Srna's free-kick.
Turkey created little at the opposite end, although Tuncay Sanli flashed a 25-yard drive narrowly wide as the game lurched towards a penalty shoot-out.
With a minute to go, Modric beat Rustu to a loose ball on the by-line and clipped in a cross which substitute Ivan Klasnic headed home as the Turkey keeper scrambled back.
But, in stoppage-time, Rustu's huge punt downfield fell kindly at the feet of Semih Senturk just inside the box and he smashed a fierce drive into the top corner via a slight deflection.
Tottenham-bound Modric missed the first penalty and, after Turkey converted all three of their spot-kicks, Petric's attempt was parried away by Rustu to book a semi-final date with Germany next Wednesday.
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