Switzerland v Turkey - Euro 2008

Magnin was always going to be a bit of a liability in this game, the man plays a dangerous offside trap tactic and is prone to getting caught out. Left backs should not play like this, Magnin does so however and this would be something that Turkey could take advantage of.

Benaglio
Magnin, Müller, Senderos, Lichtsteiner
Barnetta, Inler, Fernandes, Behrami
Yakin, Derdiyok

The following ten substitutes were named for Switzerland: Zuberbühler, Huggel, Degen, Cabanas, Spycher, Grichting, Vonlanthen, Gygax, Djourou, Jakupovic.

The first Swiss substitute was made in the 66th minute when Vonlanthen took to the field in place of Barnetta. The second sub made was Cabanas for Gelson in the 76th minute, finally Gygax came on to replace Yakin in the 85th minute.

The power of the Turkish team is very much in the attack, both Tuncay and Nihat can be absolutely deadly on their day and these were the two men for Switzerland to watch out for. Turan also was always going to be a threat and with Kazim-Richards on the bench the Turkish team also had excellent back-up.

Volkan
Balta, Asik, Servet, Altintop
Turan, Metin, Aurelio, Karadeniz
Tuncay, Nihat

The following eleven substitutes were named for Turkey: Emre, Ayhan, Rustu, Senturk, Sabri, Gungor, Erding, Topal, Tolga, Boral, Kazim-Richards.

Two half-time substitutions were made for Turkey in order to reverse their two goal deficit; Senturk came on for Karadeniz, and Topal in place of Metin. The third and final substitution was made in the 85th minute as Kazim-Richards took to the field in replacement of Nihat. Kazim-Richards had been excellent in the opening game of the tournament; he was looking for his form to continue but unfortunately was given a mere five minutes to shine.

Before this game began I have to admit that I was not looking forward to viewing this one at all. Switzerland versus Turkey had all the potential of being one of the worst games thus far, neither side are great and as the two teams took to the field I was expecting to see an incredibly bland 90 minutes of football. After about fifteen minutes the pitch looked to be a complete bog, the ball would not even roll and running with the ball was no longer an option. Switzerland were able to play hit and hope football, this seemed to suit them fairly well but the Turkish side is one that likes to build up attacks through the process of running and dribbling with the ball. The ball could have gone anywhere in the first half, the bounce of the ball was uncontrollable and the wetness of it made it supremely difficult for the two goalkeepers to make saves.

When Switzerland scored in the 32nd minute the Turkish team looked completely shellshocked. The ball stopped dead in the bog in the middle of the goal and Yakin was given the simple task of placing the ball into the empty net. Shortly after this amusing little incident Yakin could have grabbed a second for Switzerland under similar circumstances. The ball was actually moving this time but the action that had to be taken was just as simple, somehow Yakin managed to mess this one up however and the ball was sent flying wide. How Yakin could ever miss such a simple chance is beyond me, he did so though much to the dismay of his Switzerland team-mates and the Swiss crowd also. A definite moment of shame for the Swiss striker Yakin.

At half time the groundsmen were given the tough task of ridding the playing field of water. They seemed to do an excellent job and as the second half began the ball was now moving smoothly. Instantly you could see Turkey revelling in the new found ability to be able to play the ball along the ground. They had not been allowed to play in the first half, in the second however Turkey was able to run at the Swiss defence and cause some real problems. Nihat and Tuncay always looked dangerous going forward, suddenly the Turkish were having all the possession and Switzerland was now the side forced to take the backseat on the game. The Turkish attack always was pegging the Swiss defence back, it could have been a different story had Switzerland scored that second goal in the first half but sadly it was not to be Switzerland's day.

It took Turkey just 12 minutes in the second half in order to score an equaliser, the goal came from Senturk and was an absolutely excellent headed goal when it came. It was a case of when rather than if, it was obvious that Turkey would equalise at some point and when the equaliser came you could see the Swiss shoulders drop. Switzerland did not look comfortable in their lead, there was a lot of pressure on the side going into this game and it could be said that the pressure was just a little too much for them. In truth I do not believer that the Swiss side was really strong enough to defeat Turkey, a win was needed though and after the game went to 1-1 both sides were attacking and looking for a second. Switzerland are the co-hosts of Euro 2008, they didn't want to go down disgracefully and in the final half hour of the game either side could have won it; both teams had ample opportunities to score and the second half of the match was a thoroughly entertaining 45 minutes of football.

Just as it looked as though the game would end with a draw; Turkey grabbed a winner right at the death of the game. Turkey certainly left it late, a 90th minute wonder goal from Turan was fantastic to see however and truly did put a smile on my face. It was a fortunate goal, a slight deflection took the ball away from Swiss keeper Benaglio; it was a well deserved goal though and after the second half fight, ambition and drive of Turkey it was only right really that the team walked away from the game with all the points. Colin Kazim-Richards was a late second half inclusion for Turkey, he played incredibly well in the opening game against Portugal but wasn't really given a chance to shine in this one. Kazim-Richards only spent five minutes on the field, the second goal came after he entered the field of play however and although his influence was minimal he certainly seemed to lift the Turkish team and give them a second wind when he emerged.

Co-hosts Switzerland are now completely out of Euro 2008, their tournament is over but the Turkish dream still continues. Turkey must now face the Czech Republic in the final game, it's a must win game for them and if they do so then they will be through to the quarter finals of the tournament. Portugal have now qualified, second place is yet to be secured in Group A though and will surely be a tough task for both Turkey and the Czech Republic as they head into that final game of the tournament. Switzerland could have won this game, had Yakin scored a second open goal in the first half then I have a feeling that the side would have gone on to win it. It looks as though neither co-host will be in the final 16 of the tournament, Turkey could well be though and for the final game of Group A I wish them the best of luck. Roll on June 15th when the final games of Group A are played.

Final Score: Switzerland 1 - 2 Turkey