Euro 2008: Croatia vs. Turkey (Your Running Commentary)
A pair of Cinderellas are set to square off in the European Championship quarterfinals, with one set to earn a place in the semis. Croatia vs. Turkey. Two of the better stories of this tournament meet in what should be a thrilling match.
Croatia comes in as the heavy favorites thanks to Turkey's massive absences due to injury and suspension. That said, can you count out a Turkey team that fought as hard as it did to reach this point? Can you rule out a team with Nihat Kahveci on it?
I am. I just see Croatia being too much for the undermanned Turks. Croatia goes through with a 2-0 victory.
If you plan on watching today's quarterfinal, and will be online, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
Have a tip, story idea or suggestion? Send it to:
16th minute- I tuned into this game about 10 minutes late. Couldn't quite decide whether I was going to watch or not. For my money, Turkey has been slightly better, though neither team has really impressed yet.
19th minute- As I was typing that, Croatia nearly scored. Modric made a quick run down the right, sent a ball through the middle of the box, where it was hit off the crossbar. When I first saw it, I thought it was 1-0.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:06 PM
I should also ass that Kronjcar had a 2nd look after the ball hit the crossbar, and put it over the net. He should've done better with it.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Croatia nearly scores. Ball played across the box and put off the cross-bar by the on rushing Croatian. I will simply say that Chad Barrett might have put that chance away. Croatia looks lively early....
Posted by: Steve | June 20, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Add, not... what I wrote. It seems a cruel joke now that s and d are right next to each other on the keyboard.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:10 PM
26th minute- The play has begun to tilt towards the Turkish end, as Croatia is getting the better of the play.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:13 PM
27th minute- Sanli gets a yellow for an elbow to the back of Kovac's head. He will miss the next match for Turkey if they advance.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:15 PM
35th minute- Neither side has seemed too likely to score at the moment.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:21 PM
38th minute- Mehmet Topal took a long distance shot that sails right of the crossbar! It looked a good bet to go in until late. The keeper might have had it covered, but it was a good effort from Topal.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:26 PM
44th minute- The ball is knocked out of play as a Tukish player is down on the field. It was Tuncay, who was kicked by Kovac's follow-through. He walked off the field on his own, which is encouraging.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:33 PM
HALFTIME- It's 0-0 between Croatia and Turkey. There have been a couple of good scoring chances, but it's been a pretty dull game to sit through.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:37 PM
thanks for the commentary manic. keep it up!
Posted by: Dave | June 20, 2008 at 03:39 PM
My man Modric is going to create something to help Croatia pull through in the second half.
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 03:41 PM
2nd half begins
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
49th minute- Arda with a yellow card for a tackle. Was it a foul? Yeah, but it seemed more clumsy than reckless. A soft yellow card. Arda will also miss Turkey's next game if they advance.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 03:55 PM
51st minute- a slightly surreal bit of play as Croatia had a couple of opportunities to score. Olic nearly heads it into the net, but didn't get enough power on it. Then the defense is lazy about clearing it, and Olic, who was coming from off the ground, almost headed it into the net again. Casual defense nearly cost Turkey.
53rd minute- Rakatic was in a good position alone with the defense in the box, and earned a corner, which was put out, but in dangerous position.
Croatia has come out energized to start the 2nd half.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:00 PM
57th minute- Kronjar butsts into the penalty area after a good bit of play, but stikes it into the Turkish keeper, who was in good position to handle the shot. Modric was involved in that bit of play, which Croatia need to see more of.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:03 PM
61st minute- Kazim Kazim coming off for Ugur Boral. Turkey needed to change something, as Croatia has been very much in control in the 2nd half.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:07 PM
63rd minute- Modric played a beautiful ball into Olic, who was clearly offsides. I didn't really notice Modric in the 1st half, but it's been impossible not to notice him since.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:08 PM
65th minute- Petric coming in for Kronjcar.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:10 PM
69th minute- Turkey's lone striker has been completely starved of service from the midfield.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:14 PM
70th minute- Rakitich plays a 1-2, finds himself in the box with a great shot, but blasts it over the bar!!! An average finish and it would be 1-0 Croatia.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:16 PM
73rd minute- Rakitich puts in a cross from the left, Olic gets his head to it well, but pushes it slightly to the right and out of play. Beautiful ball in.
Croatia is definitely showing the form of the group winners now, even though they haven't found the back of the net.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM
76th minute- Mehmet Topal off for Semih. A positive substitution, even though Topal has probably had the best chance of the night for Turkey.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:21 PM
78th minute- Turkey with a nice ball played into the box, but it was handled by the keeper and immediately sent Croatia on the break.
79th minute- Clutching and grabbing abound in the box on a corner for Croatia, which of course does not get called (unless you are a home nation about to get dumped out after 2 games).
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:25 PM
83rd minute- Petric makes a long run through the midfield, shrugging off a tackle before being taken down in a great spot for a freekick, a few yards in front of the box and to the left of center.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:28 PM
84th minute- Srna with a BEAUTIFUL shot, but an AMAZING save by Rustu!!! Unbelivable effort by both players.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:30 PM
What a save by the turkish keeper off the free kick from about 25 yds out. Croatian went for the right upper 90, and the Turkish keeper JUST got a hand on it to push it out for a corner, which results in nothing.....
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 04:30 PM
great job Manic!
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 04:31 PM
86th minute- Turkey come back with a free kick opportunity of their own, farther out. Altintop hit it into the wall. A wasted opportunity by Turkey.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:31 PM
the turkish keeper is on fire!
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 04:35 PM
88th minute:91st minute- Breakaway by Croatia, but instead of passing it, the Croatia player is dispossesed. On the other side, Siminic does well to break up a Turkish attack for a corner.
Coming back, Rakitich is coming down the wing, and sends a shot which deflects for
a corner.
A Turkey player gets a retroactive yellow for clotheslining Srna to the ground.
The action has been quick the past few minutes.
Olic with a shot which is saved by Rustu!!
Croatia with another free kick.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:35 PM
92nd minute- Srna with another good free kick. Rustu looks awkward, but makes the save. Rustu is the only reason Croatia are not up by multiple goals.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I just tuned in the last ten minutes and it's been exhilirating to say the least....Croatia has got to be a little down not having put this one away...Manic's right: Rustu has been terrific.
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Ugur Boral was the Turkish player cuationed.
93rd minute- Kovach blasts a shot from distance, which ended up as a pass to Olic, who had a shot at goal but put it over the bar!
Full time- It's 0-0, but the game has picked up considerably in the 2nd half, and even more so for a frenzied finish. It'll be interesting to see how much these 2 teams have in the tank. Croatia has had the better of the play by far, but Rustu has proven the difference for Turkey.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
It'll be a grave injustice if Croatia doesn't move on. Also, regarding Modric in the first half, it was his run and pass that created that shot off the bar.
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 04:42 PM
1st half of extra time begins.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:44 PM
93rd minute- Switch of play by Croatia to a wide open Srna, whose cross is to Olic. Appeal for a handball. I didn't see it well enough to judge, but it would have to be blatant to get a call in that spot.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:47 PM
95th minute- Tuncay with a run that looked like it would end going out of the goal line, but ends in a shot that forces a save from Pletikosa! Good work from Tuncay.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:49 PM
98th minute- Klasnic coming in for Olic. Olic has had several opportunities to score, but has squandered most of them. Still, he worked hard, which is worth something I guess.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:52 PM
99th minute- Turkey nearly had a chance. A clearance by a Croatian defender took a deflection off the face of a Turkish player, but the ball was cleared away. Bit of a dangerous moment for the Croatian defense.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:53 PM
101st minute- Semih Senturk with a shot in the box, but it was put over the bar! Turkey have had their moments in extra time, which is surpsing to me. I didn't think they had it in them.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:55 PM
103rd minute- After a small bit of possesion, Tuncay takes a shot from distance, which comes within a yard or so from going in!!! As it was, just to the left.
Croatia looks tired, leaving space for Turkey in possesion which wasn't their earlier, and Turkey is taking advantage.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 04:58 PM
First period of extra time over.
Turkey took control of that bit of play, and all of a sudden it is Croatia who seems to be holding on with all they have just to get to penalties.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:00 PM
manic, what feed are you using?
I agree with your assessment, by the way....Croatia may have blown its energy in the last few minutes of regular time.
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 05:02 PM
106th minute- Croatia sends a long goal kick which finds its way into the Turkish box. Rustu was decisive in coming out for it, and it was fairly straightforward in a situation where it could have been dangerous.
108th minute- Emre Ashik with a yellow card. He will by the 3RD player who would miss the next match if Turkey wins, for those keeping count.
Moments later, Ashik heads a ball sent in right back to his keeper, who grabs it. Could've been dangerous.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I'm watching from home.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:06 PM
111th minute- Turkey with possesion in Croatia's final 3rd, a contant danger which didn't result in a shot. One Turkish player headed the ball across to a teammate when he might have had a chance to take it down and shoot.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:08 PM
113th minute- Modric with some nifty moves in Turkey's penalty area, but he is disposessed.
You have to feel that barring some major blunder, there will be penalty kicks.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:09 PM
115th minute- Modric sent a long ball for Klasnic, which was intercepted by a Turkish defender, only to lose it to Klasnic, who couldn't control it, saving the defender from embarassment. It was nearly that major blunder.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:11 PM
117th minute- Turkey absolutely wastes a free kick in a great position, though the taker appears to be injured.
Turkey finally makes their 3rd sub, with Nihat coming out for Gokdeniz.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:13 PM
118th minute- Kovac conceded a corner, as the Turkish sub made an immediate impact in forcing the corner, but nothing came to it.
119th minute- GOAL CROATIA!!!!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM
There it is!
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM
118th minute- Kovac conceded a corner, as the Turkish sub made an immediate impact in forcing the corner, but nothing came to it.
119th minute- GOAL CROATIA!!!!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM
What did I tell you? Modric - what a playmaker!
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Klasnic headed home a shot from close range. Rustu goes from hero to goat, as he wandered out to collect the ball, and was too late getting into goal.
120th minute- GOAL TURKEY
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:18 PM
The theme of this tournament (or at least 1 of them) has to be bonehead keeper mistakes. Again, a goalkeeper ventures out of the net, and IT ALMOST costs Turkey the tournament. As I type this, Turkey levels the score AGAIN.
I am routing for Croatia, but respect to the Turkish team for playing to the last second.
Posted by: Gene | June 20, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Holy crap!
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Semih Senturk scored for Turkey!! And we go to penalties!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Fireball | June 20, 2008 at 05:19 PM
What an INSANE ending to regulation. I'm amazed. How'd you just know Turkey would find a way.
Posted by: Ives | June 20, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Imagine being Croatia now. One minute you're thinking about the celebration, the next you have to take a penalty kick. WOW.
Posted by: Ives | June 20, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Wow, this Turkish team has some stones. But Croatia's got to move on.
Posted by: Joamiq | June 20, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Was that literally the last second of regulation? Bilic was livid on the sideline.
Posted by: Fireball | June 20, 2008 at 05:21 PM
What looked to be a dull game destined for penalties has turned into quite the dramatic contest.
As a fan of the 2 teams involved, it may be a cruel way to end it, but as a neutral, the penalty shootout is compelling.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:21 PM
it was into the 2nd minute of extra time at least. It may have been later.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:22 PM
1st Croatia Penalty to be taken by Modric.
MISSED!!! hit with conviction, but missed to the keeper's left!
1st Turkey Penalty by Arda
SCORED!! Keeper guessed right, but couldn't keep it out.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:25 PM
2nd Croatia penalty GOOD!!
2nd Turkey penalty GOOD!!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Srna and Turan took them respectivelyy
3rd Croatian penalty missed!!! Rakitic missed to the keeper's right. Almost a mirror image to Modric's.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Altintop slots away the 3rd Turkish penalty to the keeper's right!!
Croatia must score, and the substitue Petric is up.
SAVeD BY RUSTU!!! Keeper makes the decisive save, and Turkey advances!!!!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:28 PM
I'll buy a drink for anyone who had Semih on their fantasy team.
Posted by: Fireball | June 20, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Congratulations to Turkey, it sure is hard not to like that team.
Posted by: KC | June 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I don't think Croatia quite recovered from the shock of being tied in the last seconds of the extra time. The Turkish goalkeeper got into their heads.
It's too bad for a very good Croatia team, but all kinds of compliments to Turkey for having the perseverance to win.
Posted by: Gene | June 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Nice stuff, ManicMessiah, thanks 4 updates
Posted by: eric | June 20, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I cannot F-ing believe I missed the last several minutes. I didn't tape it at home, either. Replay anyone know about?
Thanks...
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I have to say that as soon as Turkey scored that equalizer the PKs were decided. I just didn't see a young Croatia team being able to re-focus and make their penalties. At the end of the day Croatia had chances they didn't finish. I feel the worst for Modric, who should have had three assists on the day but his teammates couldn't finish.
Posted by: Ives | June 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
UNREAL... that is all you can say... this team has got Champions destiny all over them. What heart and luck all rolled into one.
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | June 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
It has been a great first 2 games. Netherlands-Russia will have a tough act to follow.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Why the whistle was not blown before that Turkey goal is beyond me. There should not have been more than one minute of stoppage time. I sincerely hope they get crushed mercilessly by Germany.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 20, 2008 at 05:36 PM
smokeminside,
ESPN Classic has a replay right now, ESPN2 is replaying it at 3 AM Eastern/ 12 Pacific
Posted by: drod | June 20, 2008 at 05:41 PM
I don't know why Bilic was complaining...it's pretty standard to add a minute for a goal (his boys were celebrating for longer than that) and 30 seconds for a sub...both occurred in the second period of extra time. The goal was scored right before the one-minute mark of stoppage.
Who am I kidding. Of course he's going to complain. That was crushing. What an amazing finish. I picked Turkey here and I might have to pick them again...insane...
Posted by: Mike Caramba | June 20, 2008 at 05:47 PM
lol, i dont believe it.
tuned into the game in the 110th minute, ending was crazy stuff.
as Gordon McQueen would say, "i dont believe
it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmU1KlGSr2M
classic.
Posted by: combo breaker karma | June 20, 2008 at 05:54 PM
What an ending for Turkey...again! I wanted Croatia to win a little bit more, but they just couldn't finish. But Turkey deserved it.
Good luck to them the next game, they'll need it with the injuries and suspended players. I'll root for them against Torsten "hand-ball" Frings and the Germans.
Posted by: peteo | June 20, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Drod, thanks!
Posted by: smokeminside | June 20, 2008 at 10:09 PM
anyone think soccernet's coverage is a little biased? "so cruel on croatia" - they did it to themselves and did not dominate the game by any means as the lead story indicates
Posted by: jahs | June 20, 2008 at 11:26 PM
LOL - gotta love Srna's breakdown after the game and all those Ustashi fans crying. The Turks have made this a tournament to be remembered for the ages. These guys play with passion and balls - two things the Americans desperately need. The MLS should scour the Turkish 2nd Division for players. For example, for the $200k plus the Fire pays worthless Frankowski, they could get 4 good young Turks. Long Live Turkey!
Posted by: SultanaTheGreat | June 21, 2008 at 01:03 AM