Friday, June 20, 2008

Turkey shock Croatia in penalty drama


VIENNA, Austria (CNN) -- Turkey will play Germany in the semifinals of Euro 2008 after winning a dramatic penalty shootout against Croatia in Vienna.

Croatia, who largely dominated Friday's match, looked to have won in the final minute of extra-time as substitute Ivan Klasnic headed hone from Luka Modric's cross.

But never-say-die Turkey responded with a sensational last gasp equalizer from Semih Senturk which stunned the Croatians ahead of the shootout.

Modric and Ivan Rakitic missed two out of the first three penalties for Croatia to give Turkey a 3-1 advantage, confirmed as Recber Rustu saved from Mladen Petric to spark wild celebrations.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim was overjoyed by the unlikely outcome.

"What has happened to us is unique in our history," said Terim.

"We have become one of the great footballing nations. Our people can rejoice. And if our people are proud of us then we are proud of them," he added.

It was hard lines on Croatia who carved out the best chances from the start of the match in the Ernst Happel stadium with Darijo Srna denied early by the timely intervention of Hakam Balta.

Croatia's midfield maestro Modric became steadily more influential and from a typical forward run down the right he crossed for Ivica Olic to slam his shot from close range against the crossbar.

Niko Kranjcar was following up and headed the rebound over, leaving Croatia coach Slaven Bilic an exasperated observer.



Croatia looked the more menacing and 35-year-old Turkish keeper Rustu had to be sharp to get ahead of Olic from a cross by the ever dangerous Rakitic.

But Turkey enjoyed more possession near halftime and had their best opportunity as Mehmet Topal was not closed down and sent a 25 meter shot narrowly wide.

The second half was barely five minutes old when Olic came close again as he headed over Rustu and after sloppy defending had a second chance which was hacked off the line.

Turkey were offering no attacking threat and another great chance fell to Rakitic who played a neat one-two with Olic only to blaze over under pressure.

Rakitic returned the favor moments later with Rustu left scrambling as Olic's header looped wide.

The veteran keeper kept his side in the game with seven minutes of normal time on the clock as he brilliantly turned away Srna's free-kick after Petric had been fouled on the edge of the area.

Rustu was again called into action as Modric crossed for Olic, but it was the last significant action in regulation play.

Extra-time started with Turkey showing more ambition as Croatia lost their grip on the match and near the end of the first period Sanli Tuncay went desperately close with a low shot.

Then came the late goal drama with Rustu at fault as he unnecessarily dashed from his line allowing Modric to cross for Klasnic to head home neatly.

But Semih's dramatic strike gave the giant keeper a chance of redemption he seized with both hands.

It was another remarkable show of resilience by Turkey, who had started the match with seven regular first teamers either injured or suspended, but a formidable test awaits in Germany next Wednesday

Germany edge Portugal 3-2, in last four


June 20, 2008 02:19 IST
Last Updated: June 20, 2008 02:31 IST

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the first goal and set up two more as his team beat Portugal 3-2 in their Euro 2008 -final on Thursday.

Two goals in four minutes midway through the first half from Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose put them on top and captain Michael Ballack gave them a 3-1 lead just past the hour.

Nuno Gomes had pulled one back for the battling Portuguese just before halftime and substitute Helder Postiga put late pressure on the Germans when he made it 3-2 but they held on.

In the semi-final in Basel on Wednesday, Germany will meet the winners of Friday's match between Croatia and Turkey.

Two of Germany's goal came from Schweinsteiger's free kicks which exposed poor marking by the Portuguese and goalkeeper Ricardo's failings at dealing with high balls.

Germany struck first in the 22nd minute after a brilliant break down the left wing. Ballack sent Lukas Podolski away and he crossed low to the near post where Schweinsteiger got ahead of marker Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo to smash the ball home.

Four minutes later Armando Petit fouled Christoph Metzelder about 40 metres out. Schweinsteiger floated the free kick to the far post where Klose beat the offside trap to head past Ricardo.

Portugal, who had come close twice before the German opener, got back into the match five minutes before the interval when Deco began a counter-attack deep in Portuguese territory with a long ball forward to Simao.

Cristiano Ronaldo took Simao's pass but his shot was blocked by keeper Jens Lehmann only for the ball to run free for Nuno Gomes who swivelled and shot left-footed past the stranded keeper with the ball going in off Metzelder's outstretched leg.

Ballack increased Germany's lead just past the hour when Pepe gave away a free kick on the left which Schweinsteiger took and Ballack headed home past the badly positioned Ricardo after a little push from behind on Ferreira.

Postiga came off the bench to give Portugal hope when he headed powerfully past Lehmann in the 87th minute after winger Nani escaped Ballack on the left and provided a perfect cross.

The Portuguese threw everything at Germany in the closing stages but despite their best efforts could not find a way past a determined defence and the Germans were into the last four.

INDIA TOUR OF SRI LANKA schedule


India in Sri Lanka, 2008 Fixtures

July 2008

Date Time (GMT) Match Details Venue
Fri 18 - Sun 20 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, Three-day warm-up match Colombo
Wed 23 - Sun 27 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test Colombo (SSC)
Thu 31 - Mon 04 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test Galle

August 2008

Date Time (GMT) Match Details Venue
Fri 08 - Tue 12 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test Colombo (RPS)
Fri 15 03:00 Sri Lanka v India, One-day warm-up match Colombo (RPS)
Mon 18 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, 1st ODI Dambulla
Wed 20 04:00 Sri Lanka v India, 2nd ODI Dambulla
Sun 24 08:30 Sri Lanka v India, 3rd ODI Colombo - RPS (D/N)
Tue 26 08:30 Sri Lanka v India, 4th ODI Colombo - RPS (D/N)
Fri 29 08:30 Sri Lanka v India, 5th ODI Colombo - RPS (D/N)

Euro 2008 Quarter Finals Schedule:

1st Quarter Final
Thursday, 19th June 2008
Portugal vs Germany
at 20.45 - St. Jakob-Park - Basel
12:15 am IST

2nd Quarter Final
Friday, 20th June 2008
Croatia vs Turkey
at 20.45 - Ernst Happel - Vienna
12:15 am IST

3rd Quarter Final
Saturday, 21st June 2008
Netherlands vs Russia
at 20.45 - St. Jakob-Park - Basel
12:15 am IST

4th Quarter Final
Sunday, 22nd June 2008
Spain vs Italy
at 20.45 - Ernst Happel - Vienna
12:15 am IST