Led the score, Turkey has registered two goals in the end game to beat the Czech Republic (3-2) and qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. Author of a doubled in the last minutes of the meeting, Kahveçi Nihat was the architect of this incredible turnaround situation.

TURKEY – CZECH REPUBLIC 3-2
Goals: Turan (75th) and Nihat (87th, 89th) for Turkey; Köller (34th) and Plasil (63rd) for the Czech Republic

There are matches like that which will remain etched in our memories. And Turkey has included one of the most beautiful pages of its history, leaving nothing to lift his ticket to quarter-finals, accompanying and Portugal in the next round. There had already been to finish this victory against Switzerland (2-1). It was a foretaste. Car overthrow a handicap of two goals to fifteen minutes from the end, touching even the 0-3 facing a solid Czech Republic, it is other than a top-class performance.

But in addition to a fierce desire, Turkey has also benefited from the fragile ultra defensive attitude of the Czech Republic whose rearguard had already shown immense limits against Switzerland and Portugal. At the break, the finalist of Euro 96 was yet orbit through yet another goal from the head of the necessary Köller, upon receipt of a service millimétré of Grygera (0-1, 34th). But for what would become his last match as a breeder, Brückner opted for caution at all costs. A caution, however successful in the first period as the 4-5-1 – leaving Baros in the lurch – contained the Turkish onslaught in some thirty metres cages Petr Cech.

The Czechs fell

Except as Turks more volunteers in their offensive onslaught, the men dropped Brückner. Sometimes too. But against the Czechs realised their rare opportunities when Plasil doubled putting on a service Sionko (0-2, 63rd). Shortly thereafter, Polak was the post (71st) in what would become the turning point of the match. Therefore, the two defensive curtain of the Czech Republic and faiblissaient fell, weakened by the option chosen by Brückner, preferring to leave one of its rare offensive players to add an extra defender. And accepting that the opponent prowls the surface contours of the Czech Republic.

But even with five defenders, Reprezentace conceded béants spaces on the wings, including the left lane where the subscribers Jankulovski was absent. From this corridor, Altintop served withdrawal Turan whose shooting placed flush with the earth trouait angle closed Cech (1-2, 75th). Also from the left wing, saw its centre Altintop released by the doorman Chelsea, thereby allowing Nihat of the deal in order vacuum (2-2, 87th). It was believed then to have an unlikely meeting of the fire goals in a game hens but the captain of Turkey found the window on a strike wrapped (3-2, 89th).

A final quarter of an hour that was totally unheard extend to extra time where Volkan, guilty of an incomprehensible coup ball zidanesque on Koller (90 +3), left his team to ten as its empty cages . But fortunately for the selection of Fatih Terim, Tuncay, midfielder promoted goalkeeper, has never had to intervene in desperate attempts of the Czech Republic. Eliminated, Reprezentace does not disputera the third quarter-final in its history. However, it could prepare for a change of era.