It looks like a mismatch, but can there really be such a thing in this installment of the European Championships?
Turkey is missing eight key players heading into today’s Euro semifinal against Germany (2:30pm, ESPN), but can you really write off a Turkish team that has shown so much heart and an unwillingness to give up? The Germans, the tournament favorites before the Euros began, won’t show any pity on the short-handed Turks. Not with a Euro final within reach.
As resilient as Turkey has been, the missing players could prove too much to overcome. Goalkeeper Volkan Demiral’s absence didn’t hurt, and shouldn’t hurt today, thanks to the presence of veteran Rustu Recber, but the absence of injured captain Nihat Kahveci, Turkey’s best player, along with the absences of key figures Sanli Tuncay, Arda Turan and Emre Asik will make beating the resolute Germans that much tougher.
It should be a mismatch, but if Euro 2008 has shown us anything, it’s that no results can be taken for granted. That is why today’s match should be a memorable one. And yes, I’m picking Germany to win, 3-1 (I’m not trying to jinx the Germans, really I’m not).
If you plan on watching, and will be online, please feel free to share your own thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play before, during and after the match in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.