June 22, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1429

VIENNA, June 21: Turkey equalised in dramatic style with the last kick of extra time before beating Croatia on penalties after their breathtaking Euro 2008 quarter-final ended 1-1 on Friday.

Turkey, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, now meet Germany in Basel on Wednesday.

Extra time had finished in heart-stopping fashion after an absorbing encounter with two goals in the last three minutes.

Ivan Klasnic headed Croatia in front at the near post after a good run and cross by Luka Modric in the 119th minute.

But there was still time for comeback kings Turkey, who twice rallied from behind to win in the group stages, to equalise in nerve-tingling style as Semih Senturk’s left-foot shot took a deflection past goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia then made a mess of the penalty shootout, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic missing the target before Turkey’s 3-1 shootout victory was clinched when Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric.

Turkey trio Arda Turan, Semih Senturk and Hamit Altintop were all successful with their spot kicks.

Defeat was rough on Croatia, who overall had the better of the chances with Turkey weakened by a string of injuries plus suspensions to goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and defender Mehmet Aurelio.

Slaven Bilic’s Croatia got into their stride early and repeatedly managed to penetrate the Turkish defence.

One such occasion led to the best opportunity of the half in the 19th minute when Modric’s low cross found striker Ivica Olic close in but his sliding effort rattled the bar under pressure from keeper Rustu.

Niko Kranjcar then headed the rebound over to the anguish of the Croatian contingent of fans inside the noisy Ernst Happel stadium, where several flares were lit during the game.

Mehmet Topal sent a 30-metre piledriver just wide towards the end of the first period in a rare effort for the Turks.

Croatia went close at the start of the second half when Gokhan Zan’s weak back header let in Olic, who nodded over Rustu but failed to add the finishing touch with two defenders on the line.

Olic had two more chances and Darijo Srna forced Rustu into two saves from free kicks late in the 90 minutes but Turkey hung on to take the game into extra time.

The only sour notes for Terim’s side were the bookings for Arda, Tuncay Sanli and Emre Asik which mean they will be banned for the semi-final together with first-choice keeper Volkan, who was suspended for two matches after being sent off in the group stage.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said he did not give up even when Croatia went 1-0 ahead with one minute of extra time left.

“I saw some of our players lying on the pitch. I told them to pick the ball out of the net. I wasn’t giving up,” a jubilant Terim told reporters after the pulsating match.

“You should never give up until the very end, until the referee blows the final whistle. That is why football is an interesting game.”

Turkey’s players agreed that Terim inspired them from the touchline as the team came from behind to win for the third game running.

“Our coach looked at us and his look spurred us on,” said midfielder Kazim Kazim.

Forward Nihat Kahveci said: “We never lost faith even when they scored. I kept believing in the team. We also showed it against the Swiss and the Czechs. We have soul.”

Fellow attacker Mevlut Erdinc said: “We fought until the very last second and did not give up. It showed how strong we are when we are united.”

Meanwhile, the sentiments on the Croatian side were totally different.

Coach Slaven Bilic said Croatia’s players and management will never get over their penalty shootout defeat.

“This is a match that not only we will not forget but that will haunt us for the rest of our lives,” he said.

“Penalties of course are something special but speaking for myself I have no misgivings for my players,” added Bilic.

“I am proud of them but at the same time we are unhappy because we thought we could make it to the end of this tournament.”—Reuters