Euro 2008 - Miracle Turks Strike Again

The miracle Turks struck again and this time the victim was a Croatian side that looked to have won the match as they scored with only a minute left in the second overtime.  Little did they know the Turk magic would strike again as Turkey answered back only a minute later to force kicks.

Turkey looked to be dead and buried after Croatia's Ivan Klasnic had broken 119 minutes of goalless action.  Croatia boss Slaven Bilic had run down the touchline in celebration but there was more to come in a remarkable finale, Semih Senturk rifling into the top corner to force penalties. 

After Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic went wide with their spot-kicks, Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric to set up a fixture in Basle against Germany next week.  It also came against the odds as injuries and suspension left Terim with just 15 outfield players and eight of his starting XI on a yellow card.

An even tougher foe awaits in Germany and Turkey will be missing Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik banned for the semifinal after picking up second yellow cards. Nihat Kahveci also appeared to pick up a groin strain.   That will not matter, however, to the Turkish quarter in Vienna who were sent into wild celebration when Rustu saved Petric's kick.