Euro 2016 team profile: Turkey

Sport360 staff 09:14 07/06/2016
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  • Turkey.

    Turkey have only ever won three games at European Championships yet remarkably can call themselves previous quarter-finalists and semi-finalists. Those runs came in 2000 and in 2008 when they reached the last four in Switzerland and Austria.

    When you factor in a World Cup semi-final appearance in 2002, it was a glorious era for the Turks as they developed the enviable trait of being able to overachieve at major tournaments. Indeed, in 2008 they were just minutes away from taking Germany into extra-time before Philipp Lahm struck an injury-time winner to fire Die Mannschaft into the final. That cruel blow signalled the end of an era for Turkish football with them failing to reach the next three major tournaments, missing out on World Cups in 2010 and 2014 as well as Euro 2012.

    In their hour of need there was only one man they could possibly turn to, the self-styled ‘Emperor’ of Turkish football, Fatih Terim. Indeed, “there are 365 members of parliament but only one Fatih Terim,” said the man himself, who also quoted Einstein in his pre-match press conference ahead of that momentous clash with the Germans eight years ago. Whatever his methods, tapping into that spirit of 2008 will be essential as after being dropped into a group alongside Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia, it is clear they will once again need to overcome the odds.

    Much will depend on Barcelona midfielder and captain Arda Turan, while in Hakan Calhanoglu they have one of the most talented young midfielders in the Bundesliga and a player who can deliver great dead-balls and score spectacular free-kicks. Mehmet Topal is a stalwart at the back while it will be interesting to see if Terim goes with the fit-again Burak Yilmaz

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    STRENGTHS

    Turkey in the past have gone on the attack in major tournaments under Terim. That should continue and they look a side who will pose teams problems and score goals. They have genuine quality in midfield – Turan and Calhanogu will create chances while Inan and Tufan are calm in possession. The Turks will play with pace and fearlessness and carry momentum after beating Sweden, Austria and Montenegro in warm-ups.

    WEAKNESSES

    The obvious weakness is at the back. Turkey have some potent opposition in the group stages and a suspect defence is likely to be punished. There’s also the question as to whether Terim knows his best team with all manner of chopping and changing in the past 18 months. There’s also an over-reliance on the German-based players and doubts whether the strikers, Yilmaz and Tosun are fit and good enough.

    STAR MAN – HAKAN CALHANOGLU

    Widely considered as one of the best young players in the Bundesliga, the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is particularly known for his dead-ball expertise. Calhanoglu has scored some incredible free-kicks, including vicious, swerving efforts against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. He usually plays as forward-thinking midfielder, like a No8, although he can play out wide where his crossing is a major asset. But one thing is for sure, Turkey’s opponents really ought to guard against giving away free-kicks within shooting range.

    VERDICT

    With Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic in their group, competition is fierce. If they can sneak into the last 16 then it will be a triumph. They will, however, surely be entertaining.

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