Lahm helps Germany to book a place in the finals

June 27, 2008

If anyone thought that this game would be a mismatch, they were proved wrong by a thoroughly professional Turkish side. Although Terim’s men fell short of booking a place in the finals of EURO 2008, they went down fighting. It was only after a last minute goal from Philipp Lahm that helped Germany scrap through a nail-biting event.

Turkey was a better side in most part of the game with a strong attack and even better defense. Colin Kazim would have got his first international goal and side into the lead within minutes of start. However, the German crossbar avoided what was a skimmer of a shot from him.

Another Kazim shot in the twenty second minute went past Lehman and hit the post. This time though, there was Ugur Boral to send the ball into the German goal to allow the Turks attain a lead. However, the pair of Podolski & Schweinsteiger, who scored the first goal against Portugal, again helped their side to score an equalizer. First half ended with 1-1 and was dominated by Terim’s side with German goalkeeper Lehmann tested to his limits.

The game seemed going into Turkish hands in the second half. However, a Lahm cross caught Bayern Munich forward Miroslav Klose, who headed his side into the lead for the first time in the game defeating both Topal & Rustu. Most experts covering the game felt that this might have ended the hopes for Turkey. However, Fatih Terim’s men made him proud once again by equalizing through a Sarioglu cross that was poked home by Semih.

It seemed that another game was moving into the extra-time. However, Bayern Munich fullback Lahm fired a composed shot passed Rustu in the last minutes of the second half to crush Turkish hopes of a final berth and help Germany claim the same.

Posted in EURO 2008