Co-hosts Switzerland bow out
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2008 23:27
Switzerland were knocked out by Arda Turan's late strike
Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland have been eliminated from the competition after Turkey scored a dramatic last-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory in their Group D clash.
Galatasaray winger Arda Turan fired home a deflected shot right at the death to complete a remarkable second-half turnaround by Fatih Terim's side.
Hakan Yakin had put Switzerland ahead in the first half, but Semih Senturk equalised before Turan struck with seconds remaining to break Swiss hearts.
In a night of high drama in Basel, there were doubts at half-time as to whether the match would even continue as torrential rain poured down.
Switzerland had the better of the opening period as they adapted well to the near-farcical conditions, which saw the ball holding up in standing water in many areas of the pitch.
However, the deadlock was almost broken by the Turks when keeper Diego Benaglio punched a Nihat free-kick straight onto Turan's head, but the ball rebounded to safety off the post.
Barely three minutes later, Philippe Senderos sent young striker Eren Derdiyok away on the right, and his ball across the six-yard box stopped in a puddle right in front of Yakin, who tapped home with ease.
Yakin then had a chance to double the lead almost instantly from a similar situation, but somehow managed to fire his shot wide.
A combination of the skies clearing and some frenetic work from the groundsmen allowed the match to restart, and suddenly Turkey began to take the initiative.
Senturk levelled matters on 57 minutes when Nihat crossed from the left and the Fenerbahce man's header escaped the clutches of Benaglio.
Switzerland had a great chance to seal the win late on but Yakin fired straight at Volkan after a quick break involving Derdiyok and Johan Volanthen.
But as the clock ticked down, Turan took aim from outside the area and his shot deflected off Valon Behrami and past Benaglio's despairing dive to seal a miserable night for the co-hosts.