Euro semi-finals

I made no posts about Euro 08 since France was booted out of the competition, but now I am back!

Germany vs Turkey

This is a fight between a good mixture of the traditional style of ugly football and modern style of attacking football, and a united team that is greatly depleted but will be led by a strong determination.

I have a feeling Turkey will make it tight, but it will be like the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. Turkey are too depleted; their star players Nihat Kahveci, Arda Turan andd some others are all unavailable for the game. But it will be a really interesting moment to see a reserve keeper come on as a substitute in an outfield position. And Rustu Recber is the same keeper that faced Germany in 2002, but his counterpart will not be Kahn but Lehmann.

Players to watch:

Hamit Altintop
He is perhaps the most known name in the Turkey team that will be starting the game. A midfielder, he needs to perform at his best to try and contain the attacking midfielders like Ballack or Schweinsteiger or Frings, and try to penetrate Hizlsberger and Rofles who shields the defence.

Torsten Frings
He hasn't shone at this tournament yet, while at first Podolski, then Ballack, then Schweinsteiger stole the limelight. He is capable of scoring goals from distance, as does Phillip Lahm, a wing-back who enjoys going forward. I think Germany coach Loew will play it safe and tell Lahm to stay at his role and not go forward too much, so as the attention is on the others, Frings could surprise with a goal.

Jens Lehmann
Lehmann was a revelation at the World Cup 2 years ago as Germany hosted the big event. This could be his last hurrah and he will be working hard to ensure a clean sheet. It will be tough to break the German defence shall Loew decides on a defensive game, but he should make it a good game with an attacking mentality. Germany will put in goals at the front, but Lehmann could win it for his nation if he produces good saves to deny the Turks.