Euro 2008: Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey Historic Win(Full Match Report and Video)

Both teams went in to this game needing a win to progress, after they had both beaten Switzerland and lost to Portugal. If this game was a draw, then there would be the first ever penalty shoot out for a group stage in the tournament. Czech Republic wore all white, while the Turkish wore all red.

Neither team ever really took control in the first half, although the Czech Republicans had almost all the opportunities. They kept possession well, playing fluent football, while the Turks held on for dear life, blocking crosses and jumping in the way of Czech shots.

In the first ten minutes, two of the Turkish players had received bookings, which made them the most booked team in Euro 2008 so far, although the referee was being extremely strict and a lot of the Czech players were making the most of the challenges, throwing them selves to the floor, which slowed the game down and soon got tiresome.

Then a break through for the Czech Republic. An exquisite cross played in from the right hand side from Zdenek Grygera was inch perfect for six foot seven inches giant Jans Koller to make a powerful header, which Turkish goal keeper Demirel got his hand to, but couldn’t keep out.

In the second half the game really livened up. On the sixty fifth minute, Libor Sionko swung in a wonderful cross and Jaroslav Plasil latches on the end of it to put Czech Republic up, and it looks like check mate for Czech Republic.

But then, on the seventy fifth minute Arda Turan scored his second goal of the tournament with a brilliant shot right in to the bottom corner, just out of Petr Cech’s reach. Suddenly it looks like Turkey may have a chance.

And they have a chance. And a rather brilliant one at that, when usually rock solid Cech lets a ball slip out of his hands, and Nihat reacts first to slot the ball in to the empty net. Truly remarkable football, and everyone is suddenly choosing who will take penalties.

But then, another shock, when Turkey score their third goal in fifteen minutes! Nihat receiving a through ball before running through to the edge of the penalty area before picking his spot in the top corner, giving Petr Cech no chance. Unbelievable football, no one can quite believe it.

And as if everyone wasn’t already excited enough, there is even more action, when in the fourth minute of added time Czech Republic get a chance before Turkish goal keeper Volkan foolishly pushed Koller to the floor, who made the most of it, but the goal keeper still got a red card.

And then a bizarre decision. The referee books Milan Baros, giving him a yellow card, but the crazy thing is, he isn’t even on the pitch! Too confusing to take in.

Final Score:
Czech Republic 2 – 3 Turkey

Watch the five GOALS:

Volakan Red Card on the 92th Minute of the Match:

Comments June 16th, 2008