Turkey's Terim: We are one of the great football nations
Saturday, 21 Jun 2008 09:17
Turkey boss Fatih Terim says quarter-final win has changed world football
Turkey boss Fatih Terim says his side's remarkable victory over Croatia in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 has changed their status in world football.
The injury-hit XI had seemed destined for elimination when Ivan Klastic capitalised on a mistake by Turkish keeper Rushtu to put Croatia 1-0 at the end of the second period of extra time.
But Semih Senturk's brilliant volley with the last kick of the game set up a penalty shootout with the Turks capitalising from Croatian disappointment to win 3-1 and progress to the semis.
"What has happened to us is unique in our history," said Terim after the win.
"We have become one of the great footballing nations. Our people can rejoice. And if our people are proud of us then we are proud of them."
Terim's men have led for only two minutes in 390 of football at the tournament but nonetheless find themselves facing a semi-final against Germany.
And the one-time Fiorentina and AC Milan boss said his players' mental strength is the key to their success.
"We fought and fought and the players keep outdoing themselves," he explained.
"We seem to always come back - we do it the hard way and that's not easy to do. It shows just how good a team we are.
"I tell my players never to give up. I tell them that they shouldn't be afraid of losing or conceding goals. This is football. You should never give up until the referee blows the final whistle."