Turkey have completed another incredible comeback to eliminate Croatia on penalties and set up a semi-final clash with Germany!

Ivan Klasnic thought he had won the game for Croatia 30 seconds from the end of extra time when he headed in Luka Modric’s cross. Semih Senturk had other ideas, however, latching onto a long ball from goalkeeper Recber Rustu to take the game to penalties where Modric, Klasnic and Mladen Petric missed.

A crackling atmosphere welcomed Croatia and Turkey onto a pitch that was bathed in gorgeous sunshine, setting the scene for what one hoped would be a fiery encounter. The match, however, was a slow burner and took a while to ignite with only one chance lighting up the first half.

Croatia, dressed in the blue that they have worn in each of their last three games, looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Turkey showed signs of wilting under the pressure after just three minutes when Sabri miscued a pass yards from his area, which Luka Modric latched onto only to see his effort deflected away by his own player.

Nervy, the Turks continued to infuriate Coach Fatih Terim, performing too casually at the back. Stand-in goalkeeper Recber Rustu was slow to react to a weak Hakan Balta header that Croatia’s left-winger Ivan Rakitic was able to reach and slide across to Dario Srna.

Balta recovered however, kicking the ball out for a corner, which failed to threaten Rustu. Croatia smelt blood though, particularly on the left, and continued to probe accordingly. Not that Turkey were disheartened. Fatih Terim’s side began to settle, gaining confidence through a couple of speculative shots from Hamit Altintop.

As Daniel Pranjic and Rakitic marauded up their flank, they left space for Kazim Richards and Arda Turan to dance around the box, but do little else. In fact, Turkey began to dominate possession, setting up camp in the Croatian half for the first 20 minutes until the Vatreni sparked into life.

Dario Srna picked up a loose ball in the final third, which he played straight to Modric, the Spurs signing, who took two touches that brought him into the box. He then played a delightful ball to Ivica Olic, only for the Hamburg striker to hit the bar from two yards. It was the best chance of the first 45 and heralded the start of a menacing 10 minutes from the Croats.

Modric threaded the ball as if through the eye of a needle to Pranjic and then Olic before the half hour mark, but both of his targets could not make good his assists, making one wonder if the injured Eduardo would have made the difference.

Coach Slaven Bilic huffed and puffed up and down the touchline ruing his side’s inability to convert their chances. That feeling was exasperated minutes after the interval when a long ball from Rakitic caught Arda Turan napping leaving Hakan Balta exposed. Balta once again tried to head it back to Rustu who, having not learned his lesson in the first half, did not come for it, allowing Olic to sneak in a nod the ball over him.

The ball hovered towards the goal line where it found Balta, who again could not deal with it, giving Olic yet another opportunity to score. Olic let the Turks off again, however, placing a low header harmlessly across goal. Alarm bells were ringing though as Niko Kranjcar found space between the two makeshift central defender to get a shot a way, which was fortunately straight at Rustu on 56 minutes.

It was to be Kranjcar’s last attempt as Bilic decided to make a change, throwing on striker Mladen Petric to join Olic in attack. Petric’s entry appeared to refresh Croatia; the Dortmund man took the weight off Olic’s shoulders and began to bring the Vatreni’s talented midfielder into the business end of the pitch.

It was Olic, however, who set up Croatia’s next chance, playing a neat one two with Rakitic only for the precocious 21-year-old to blaze over the bar after 70 minutes. Turkey were under siege and looked about ready to crumble as Rakitic returned the favour Olic granted him seconds earlier, feeding the hard working 38-year-old a deep cross which he headed wide.

Terim began to shuffle his cards with a quarter of the match remaining, hoping for a repeat of the late show that had vanquished the Czech Republic. The former Milan and Fiorentina tactician brought on Semih Senturk, the Fenerbahce forward who scored the Turks’ equalizer against Switzerland earlier in the tournament. He, along with his strike partner Nihat, were ploughing a lonely furrow. The Turks could not drive their opponents out of their own half, conceding corner after corner, which Rustu punched away.

The 35-year-old keeper was clearly growing in confidence, which was to come in handy seven minutes from time when Dario Srna whipped in a wicked free kick from just outside the box. It was heading for the top corner, Bilic and the Croatia bench were ready to celebrate, but Rustu pulled off one of the saves of the tournament, getting a strong hand behind the ball to spirit it away for a corner.

Released down the right on 88 minutes Nihat won a corner that raised expectations of another late Turkish victory. Confident in their own ability, the Croats hopped over the trenches and sent every man forward. Olic nearly got the goal he deserved, getting away from his man to retrieve a cross rifled along the floor from Modric. Finding himself two yards from the net, he could only slide the ball into Rustu’s arms.

As extra time approached Croatia did their best to win the game in 90 minutes. Srna tested Rustu again with another free kick, this time from wide on the right. The Shakhtar Donetsk winger swept the ball in low and watched it bounce in front and off Rustu, who eventually smothered it.

Italian referee Roberto Rosetti blew his whistle and signaled for extra time, giving Turkey another chance to win a game after 90 minutes. And it was Fatih Terim’s side who had the first effort on goal, Middlesbrough’s Tuncay won some freedom on the right of the Croatian box and slashed at the ball from close range, calling Pletikosa into action for the first time in a long while at the near post.

Croatia began to look spent, their legs full of lactic acid. Knowledgeable of that fact Bilic brought Ivan Klasnic on for Olic to rekindle the Vatreni’s attack. The Werder Bremen striker recently recovered from a kidney transplant and scored his first international goal since returning against Poland in Croatia’s final group game.

It was another substitute who nearly settled the tie though. Semih Senturk exchanged a couple of passes of the edge of the Croat box before unleashing an evil looking shot that seared over Pletikosa’s bar, 10 minutes into extra time. Clearly in the ascendancy, Terim’s men gave Pletikosa more to worry about in the opening stages of added time than they did in the preceding 90 minutes.

Tuncay again went close, snatching at a ball that ended up a worrying foot wide of Pletikosa’s right hand post. The Turks were rampant, testing Robert Kovac’s weary defence with a mean cross seconds before Rosetti asked the teams to swap sides and start the last 15 minutes of playing time.

Weary, the Croats rallied to win a free kick from deep in the Turks’ half. Every one of Bilic’s charges went forward but none of them could find the strength to out jump Rustu. Gone was the crisp and energetic passing played by the Croats in the first half, and in came a tired and stumbling imitation, which was overrun by the Turks.

Terim’s side wasted a free kick, which Nihat spooned from the right side to the Croat’s right hand corner flag. Hobbling after the set piece, Nihat was replaced by Gokdeniz in preparation for a penalty shoot out.

That, however, was premature as Modric wreaked havoc on the right, tempting Rustu to come way off his line. Modric turned and crossed the ball finding Klasnic, who did what Olic could not do and headed past the desperate goalkeeper with 30 seconds remaining, sending Bilic euphoric.

His joy was to turn to despair though as another substitute, Semih, took advantage of confusion in the Croat defence, which was struggling to deal with a long ball from Rustu, and forced penalties, rifling the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards. Bilic could not believe it and ran onto the pitch to ask referee Rosetti why he had not blown for full time.

Rustu’s transformation from hero to villain was complete as he emerged as a penalty shoot out saviour. Modric bravely stepped up to take the first penalty in front of the Turkish end and missed, skewing the ball wide of the post.

Arda Turan replied by scoring the Turks’ first, which Dario Srna cancelled out. That was to be the end of Croatia’s European Championship though as Semih and Hamit Altintop found the net while Rakitic shot wide and Petric’s effort was saved.

Turkey will face Germany in the semi-final on Wednesday, but they will be without Emre Asik, Arda, Tuncay and Volkan, who are all suspended.

Shoot-out:

Croatia: Modric (miss), Srna (goal), Rakitic (miss), Petric (saved)

Turkey: Arda Turan (goal), Semih (goal), Hamit Altintop (goal)
Croatia: Pletikosa; Corluka, R Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic; Srna, N Kovac, Modric, Rakitic; Kranjcar (Petric 65), Olic (Klasnic 97)

Turkey: Rüstu; Hamit Altintop, Gokhan Zan, Emre Asik, Hakan Balta; Sabri, Mehmet Topal (Semih 76), Tuncay, Arda Turan; Kazim-Richards (Ugur Boral 60), Nihat (Gokdeniz 117)

Ref: Rosetti (Ita)

Ref From channel4.com

Poland went out with a whimper as a second string Croatia beat them 1-0 to make it three wins from three.

Croatia knew that qualification for the quarter-finals and indeed top spot in Group B was secure after their superb win over Germany and Coach Slaven Bilic took the chance to rest almost all his key personnel.

Only Juventus target Ivan Rakitic and Danijel Pranjic survived from the team that stunned the Germans and there was space for Milan outcast Dario Simic and Livorno stopper Dario Knezevic.

Poland boss Leo Beenhakker made four changes from the team that drew with Austria as Jakub Wawrzyniak, Rafal Murawski, Wojciech Lobodzinski and Roger Guerreiro handed starts.

The Poles knew that even a win wouldn’t be enough if Germany beat Austria in Vienna and goal difference would be decisive in the unlikely event of Austrian and Polish victories - in truth they needed a two-goal triumph.

As expected, the Poles pushed hard from the first whistle and Croatian goalkeeper Vedran Runje had to be alert to punch a Lobodzinski cross clear of Jacek Krzynowek.

The resultant corner was headed behind for another, which Napoli target Dariusz Dudka met but his header flashed wide.

Croatia flexed their muscles with a quarter of an hour played as Rakitic linked with Nikola Pokrivac before the ball fell to Pranjic, who should have done better than a half-hearted cross/shot.

And the Croats were inches away from going ahead with a Rakitic free-kick, which Hrvoje Vejic headed past the post.

It was the Rakitic show as he tested Artur Boruc’s capabilities by beating two men to swing a dangerous cross, but the Celtic No 1 was up to the task.

Pranjic’s magnificent ball was inches away from being converted by Petric, but the linesman’s flag was up anyway.

Knezevic had to be replaced by Vedran Corluka due to an injury.

Boruc came to the rescue after half an hour to deny Klasnic with his legs in a one-on-one situation, as Croatia looked menacing.

And Boruc was again decisive when he clawed a Rakitic effort out for a corner.

Jerko Leko dragged a dangerous-looking effort wide of the goal as the Polish defence opened up a little.

But Poland finished the first half the stronger without creating any clear-cut chances as tempers started to flare and three yellow cards were produced within 10 minutes.

Guerreiro started the second half with a decent effort that stung Runje’s palms, but news that Germany had gone ahead against Austria filtered through and took the wind out of the Poles’ sails.

And Poland’s tournament was as good as over when Pranjic’s ball found Klasnic to make it 1-0 Croatia - the Poles needed to score three times and for Austria to find the net twice!

Beenhakker threw on Ebi Smolarek - the top scorer in the qualification tournament - with 40 minutes to go.

Krzynowek tried to strike back, but his effort was dragged harmlessly wide of the posts.

Pranjic so nearly added to Poland’s misery when his cross bounced off the top of the bar.

Guerreiro came close for Poland with a neat effort on the turn that flashed past the post, but minutes later Borc did well to deny Pranjic.

Runje made a fine stop to deny Marek Saganowski’s back post header and Smolarek fired two decent efforts narrowly wide of the mark.

Smolarek’s ball fell to Zahorski but he somehow managed to hit the ball at the onrushing Runje in a one-one-one. It was the story of the Poles’ competition.

There was nothing left in the game and it fizzled out. Croatia will face Turkey in the quarter-finals and Poland will go home to reflect on a miserable competition.
Poland: Boruc; Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Dudka, Wawrzyniak; Lobodzinski (Smolarek 55), Murawski, Guerreiro, Lewandowski (Kokoszka 46); Krzynowek, Saganowski (Zahorski 69).

Croatia: Runje; Simic, Vejic, Knezevic (Corluka 27), Prznjic; Leko, Vukojevic, Pokrivac, Rakitic; Klasnic (Kalinic 73), Petric (Kranjcar 74)

Ref: Vassaras (Gre)

Ref From channel4.com

Croatia humbled but should have humiliated Germany, knocking the tournament favourites off their perch in what turned out to be a powder keg of a game.

Slavan Bilic’s side won 2-1 and played some outstanding possession football, while Germany imploded and had Bastian Schweinsteiger sent off.

Dario Srna’s 22nd minute strike sounded an onslaught that did not end until referee De Bleeckere blew for full time.

The Vatreni kept the Mannschaft at arms length for much of the game, keeping the ball better than their rivals.

Bilic solved the problems which made Croatia’s first match against Austria such a nervy encounter, adding a fifth man, Ivan Rakitic, to midfield, deploying a 4-4-1-1 formation.

The change paid dividends and played to Croatia’s strengths, giving their talented middlemen more time on the ball.

Tottenham signing Luka Modric kept Germany on the back foot throughout the first half, bisecting the Joachim Löw’s defence on a couple of occasions.

Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder had to be at their very best to cut out the 22-year-old’s telegraphic passes, which almost set Ivica Olic one on one with Jens Lehmann.

Germany boss Joachim Löw fielded the same side that had been so convincing against Poland, but his team could not get started let alone impose its energetic game on the Croats.

The Germans looked just as capable as their opponents in the opening stages, but could never get behind the Croats.

Löw’s men utilised the flanks and tried to find front men, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez, who were often judged offside.

The Vatreni signalled their intent from the 11th minute when Olic beat Lehmann to a cross, only to be ruled to have fouled the former Arsenal stopper.

Olic was a constant thorn in the Germans side, twisting and turning them
inside out, earning Croatia several dangerous free kicks.

His work preoccupied each of the German back four, freeing up space for their five-man midfield in the final third.

Srna stole into one of those gaps in the 22nd minute, beating Marcell Jansen to Daniel Pranjic’s cross to open the scoring.

Croatia then proceeded to torment Germany and should have doubled their lead minutes later through Portsmouth trequartista Niko Kranjcar who was teed up by Olic just inside the box, only to rifle the ball over the bar.

Kranjcar was to go close again, but not before Michael Ballack burned Stipe Pletikosa’s gloves with a wicked swinging free kick from 35 yards after 32 minutes.

The German’s should have gone into the dressing room at half time 3-0 down, but Kranjcar could not find the net, not even when Corluka’s pass from the right, touched on by Olic found him free again four minutes from the interval.

The 23-year-old snatched at the ball and Lehmann easily saved it, giving Löw’s side a reprieve.

The Germans came out in the second half with a lot more purpose, but just when they looked like getting a handle on the game it slipped out their grasp.

Schalke youngster Rakitic mishit a cross, which surprised Lehmann, hit the post and fell in front of Olic who deserved 63rd minute goal.

Down but not out, the Germans set about getting themselves back in the game and duly did so against the run of play.

Philipp Lahm launched a ball in from the right, which Lukas Podolski smashed in with the power we have all become accustomed to 10 minutes before the end to set up a nervy finish.

Croatia’s win, however, was never in doubt as Löw’s substitutions changed the game for the wrong reasons.

Bastian Schweinsteiger’s introduction started off well enough with a shot that flashed across Pletikosa’s goal, but ended in disgrace as he earned himself a red card for pushing Jerko Leko after 92 minutes.

A melee ensued, demoralising the Germans who were eventually put out of the misery by the referee’s final whistle, which also heralded Croatia’s qualification for the quarter-finals.
Croatia (probable): Pletikosa; Corluka, R. Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic; Srna (Leko 79), Modric, N. Kovac, Rakitic, Kranjcar (Knezevic 84); Olic (Petric 71)

Germany (probable): Lehmann; Lahm, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Jansen (Odonkor 45); Fritz (Kuranyi 81), Frings, Ballack, Podolski; Gomez (Schweinsteiger 65), Klose

Sent Off: Schweinsteiger (G) 91

Ref: De Bleeckere (Bel)

Ref From channel4.com