Euro 2008 Diary [day14]

Croatia 1-1 Turkey (1-3 on penalties)

"Last time Turkey descended on Austria like this was the Ottoman Empire" is Gary Lineker's opening gambit to what proves a slow but enthralling game none the less. Croatia are the better side early on, but they are contained by Turkey whose most experienced player, the stand-in goalkeeper Rustu Recber, is widely acknowledged as the side's weakest link, despite over one hundred caps.

Croatia should take the lead midway through the half as Luka Modric cross for Ivica Olic who should score, but with the Croatian bench already celebrating he can only rattle the bar from four yards out. On the Turkish bench coach Fatih Terim is steadily disrobing like a newspaper editor trying to reach a deadline; resplendent in suit at kick-off he is already tie-less with sleeves rolled up by the time Mehmet Topal flashes a long range effort inches wide ten minutes from half-time. Just before the break, with Tuncay down injured, Danijel Pranjic takes the opportunity to get medical attention, but instead seems to be on the receiving end of a selection of wrestling holds from one of Slavan Bilic's roadies.

In the second half Croatia continue to control the game and are almost gifted a goal by the combined efforts of Rustu and Emre Asik, it's "like the keystone cops at the back for Turkey" says Steve Wilson, but Olic can't capitalise. All the chances are falling to Croatia, but Rustu is keeping them at bay, blocking another Olic effort and brilliantly turning away a Darijo Srna free-kick. When he is beaten it is only by a very offside Olic with the whistle already blown. Glimpses of the Croatian goalmouth are rare, but when they do occur each shows more and more stewards crowded on the running track, like a bizarre luminous tabard clad remake of 'The Birds'.

The game moves into extra-time and Turkey, players and fans alike, wake up. "The Turkish fans are making a right racket" comments Wilson and they've every right to as their team dominate the opening fifteen minutes, Tuncay comes close to beating Stipe Pletikosa twice, whilst Semih Senturk also shoots over.

After the break its the Croat fans turn to rally their side and it eventually pays off in the final minute. Rustu inexplicably gives chase to Corluka's blocked cross but he is beaten to it by Modric and with the keeper stranded he chips the ball across for Ivan Klasnic to head home. The player is duly mobbed by the entire Croat bench, including Slavan Bilic who has made a David Pleat-esque run down the touchline. Already in injury time Turkey get one last throw of the dice, and they somehow roll a seven; Rustu hoofs the ball into the Croat box and it falls to Semih, who hits and hopes towards goal, and via a deflection finds the top corner with the game's very last kick.

Penalties then, a dejected Croatia against a buoyant Turkey, tension added to by the lack of a matchball. With Modric missing the opening Croatian penalty it's already 2-1 to Turkey as Ivan Rakitic steps up for the third round of kicks. "He's just a boy" intones Wilson sympathetically, but like Modric before him Rakitic too pulls his kick wide. Hamit Altintop makes it 3-1 leaving the pressure on Mladen Petric who must score to keep Croatia in the tournament. Inevitably Rustu saves and Croatia are undeservedly out. "Never ever ever write off the Turks," summarises Wilson, perhaps confusing prospective semi-final opponents.