Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Bakes on June 24, 2008, 08:00:02 PM
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Euro 2008
Germany, Turkey and Jumbled Loyalties
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/06/25/sports/25soccer.2.600.jpg)
June 25, 2008
By NICHOLAS KULISH
BERLIN — A game is not just a game when it pits the national soccer teams of the deeply intertwined countries of Germany and Turkey against each other.
When the German team takes the field Wednesday night against Turkey in Basel, Switzerland, in the semifinals of the European Championship, it will also face two German natives on the Turkish side. The versatile midfielder Hamit Altintop hails from the West German city of Gelsenkirchen and defender Hakan Balta is a Berliner.
The World Cup gives national teams the ultimate soccer bragging rights, but the neighborly rivalries in the European event make for what at times feels like a more intense tournament. The frenzy has reached a peak over Wednesday’s intriguing semifinal because of the estimated 2.7 million people either of Turkish citizenship or heritage living in Germany, the country’s largest minority.
With both teams still alive, it has been doubly festive here and up to this point mutually supportive, as many Germans have cheered on the Turks and vice versa. Each Turkish victory in the tournament has brought enthusiastic fans draped in the country’s red flag onto the streets, where they set off firecrackers and shot bottle rockets into the night sky, with parties often lasting until morning. German fans have packed pubs and beer gardens for their team’s run to the semifinals.
Now the country is practically humming with anticipation for the match, with an overriding optimism for a nationwide party spiked with an edge of nervousness that a friendly sporting rivalry could spill over into something more serious in the streets. Police officials say they are prepared, especially in Berlin where some 500,000 people are expected at the public viewing area at the Brandenburg Gate.
All of Europe has been in the grip of what it calls football fever for the past two and a half weeks as the continent’s best teams have squared off. The tournament has given audiences some displays of masterful soccer, but also more than a few intriguing subplots as the increasingly mobile populations around Europe and the world create an overlapping web of confused loyalties.
Mixed allegiances are hardly new to international soccer. Players often duel against teammates and friends from their professionals squads. Some coaches know no borders. Russia’s coach, Guus Hiddink, celebrated his team’s latest victory over his home country, the Netherlands.
And, as in the Germany-Turkey matchup, there are often political overtones. A matchup in the final between Germany and Russia, which plays Spain in the other semifinal, could well exhaust a decade’s worth of World War II references.
The Germans already faced Robert and Niko Kovac, brothers born in West Berlin, when they lost to Croatia in the group round. Not that German soccer fans are in any position to complain about the Croats or the Turks, seeing how their team beat neighboring Poland, 2-0, in their tournament opener with both goals from Lukas Podolski, one of the squad’s three Polish natives.
Though Austria and Switzerland have been the co-hosts of the European event, the ouster of both countries’ teams in the group stage meant that they were not the stars of their own show. If the most memorable symbol of Germany’s successful hosting of the World Cup in 2006 was the German flag displayed without shame or second-guessing, the motif this time around for German spectators are the twin Turkish and German flags flapping from countless car windows around the country.
“Of course my heart lies first with the German team,” said Rainer Krause, 63, a Berlin native who bought a red Turkish flag as well as a German one at a store in the heavily Turkish Neukölln neighborhood, where he works., “But over the decades the loyalties have grown together, there are such strong feelings of connection.”
Altintop, who plays for the German club champion, Bayern Munich, agrees. In an interview this week with Spiegel Online, he declared, “I owe much, actually everything, to Germany.” But when asked whether he considered himself German at heart, Altintop, the Turkish team’s mainstay, reinforced the sense of dual loyalty, saying: “No. Maybe I’m both.”
The Turkish side will need everything Altintop can give it, with the team whittled down by injuries and suspensions to just 15 players — 11 starters and 4 potential substitutes. The possibility that one of the team’s backup goalies could play forward has added to their underdog appeal.
Some Germans have gone so far as to switch allegiances from their home team to Turkey, a sentimental favorite of the tournament if not quite a Cinderella, considering its run to the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup. “It’s only fair,” said Rosie Lambrecht, who was out shopping for a Turkey T-shirt on Tuesday morning and who roots with her Turkish friends and neighbors in Neukölln. “They’ve never won the tournament.”
The Turkish team has teetered on the brink of elimination from the beginning, losing its opener to Portugal and trailing much of the second game against Switzerland after a first-half goal by none other than Hakan Yakin, a Swiss player from a Turkish family. The Turks pulled out the game against the Swiss with two second-half goals.
In the final group match against the Czech Republic, the theatrics really began, with Nihat Kahveci scoring twice in the closing minutes for an improbable come-from-behind 3-2 win. Against Croatia, the team tied the score in the closing moments of the match just minutes after a Croatia goal appeared to end the tournament for Turkey, and then prevailing in penalty kicks over a visibly demoralized Croatian team.
That set up the showdown with the Germans for the right to play in the final, which is hardly being treated as just another game. Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told a television news channel he hoped that “no attempts would be made to disturb a peaceful soccer party.”
After the match Friday between Turkey and Croatia, which got rough among the players at points, opposing fans in Vienna, where the match was played, threw bottles and paving stones at one another, leading to a dozen arrests. There were also arrests in the German city of Frankfurt, which like Berlin is hosting public screenings of the match.
“Certainly we’ve raised our security measures for the match,” said Thomas Feda, the managing director of the Frankfurt tourism board. “But the mood has been great for the matches, with lots of families bringing their children.” Feda said he expected a peaceful event, and added that there would be no separating of fans by their rooting interests.
“I think it will go great, whichever team wins,” said Murat Yalcin, 33, who works at a cafe in Neukölln back in Berlin. He was wearing a Turkey T-shirt, but said that if Germany wins, he would root for it in the final. “When you live here, when you were raised here, why root for anyone else?”
Steffen Scholz contributed reporting.
Source (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/sports/soccer/25soccer.html?ref=sports)
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May have to eat my words, but with the Turkish team so depleted I think Germany is getting a free pass in this game.....
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Dem eh turkey nah dem is cat dey have 9 lives so meh eh writin dem off at all
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May have to eat my words, but with the Turkish team so depleted I think Germany is getting a free pass in this game.....
Should be a very passionate game either way... but I rooting on Germany :beermug:
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Poor Turkey, so many inuries and I think two unavailable becz of cards.
Only 13 players available, including the reserve Keeper and he may have to play in the outfield.
If Germany lose this game, they have a right to feel real shame.
Should the Turks win, this would be on of the truly historic moments in world football.
VB
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Taken from the Euro 2008 football site.
Turkey look almost certain to go into their UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final without their leading striker after a scan on Nihat Kahveci's thigh confirmed he will not be fit for Wednesday's showdown with Germany.
Bad news
The Turkey vice-captain hobbled off holding his right thigh three minutes from the end of extra time in Friday's dramatic quarter-final victory over Croatia. He was taken to hospital for a scan on the injury and the results spell further bad news for coach Fatih Terim, who will likely be missing more than a third of his squad through a combination of injuries and suspensions in Basel. More detailed news was expected from the Turkey camp later about Nihat, whose two late goals against the Czech Republic propelled the team into the last eight in spectacular fashion, as well as about the other players on the injured list.
Injured list
Emre Güngör has already been ruled out of the tournament because of a calf complaint while Servet Çetin (hip and knee), Tümer Metin (groin) and Emre Belözoğlu (hamstring) are major doubts for Wednesday. Of that trio only Tümer is currently able to take part in light training, with Emre restricted to treatment in the swimming pool. Terim is definitely without the suspended quartet of Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı, Volkan Demirel and Arda Turan for Turkey’s first semi-final on the European stage although, on the plus side, he will welcome back midfielder Mehmet Aurélio from a ban.
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Is party all night tonight in Germany. Ah jus hope dat Turkey will take de licks and join de party after.
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Is party all night tonight in Germany. Ah jus hope dat Turkey will take de licks and join de party after.
Ich auch! Ich will das Deutschland meister wird.
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Poor Turkey, so many inuries and I think two unavailable becz of cards.
Only 13 players available, including the reserve Keeper and he may have to play in the outfield.
If Germany lose this game, they have a right to feel real shame.
Should the Turks win, this would be on of the truly historic moments in world football.
VB
Was thinking the same thing.
A Turkey Russia final would be a hell of a upset though when you think about it, especially after Greece in 2004. Two teams that ent make the last World Cup vieing to be European champions...
I backing the underdogs
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May have to eat my words, but with the Turkish team so depleted I think Germany is getting a free pass in this game.....
You have to realize that this Turkish team defies all logic and this may actually improve their chances
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game start!
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I like the statements agains Racism to start (even doh I ent understand one word that was said...)
... that field looking like somebody grandmother's patchwork quilt.
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dem men shoulda check bermuda for some grass...de brown patches eh looking good at all....
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I like the statements agains Racism to start (even doh I ent understand one word that was said...
I eternally back de underdogs.GO TURKEY !!
I hope it applies to reffs moreso cuz they have the power to break ah team's spirit,as you know.
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Turkey looking like the more confident squad so far... Kazim Kazim nearly break de facking crossbar yes. What ah bullet.
Nice set up.
I eternally back de underdogs.GO TURKEY !!
I hope it applies to reffs moreso cuz they have the power to break ah team's spirit,sa you know.
I ent too sure ah follow yuh dey nah breds...lol
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Germany like dey eh ready to play dis match..dey shoulda be down 1 nil already
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Germany like dey eh ready to play dis match..dey shoulda be down 1 nil already
Kazim looking nice in de earlies boy...another shot off the bar... and Boral scrambles the rebound over the line... 1-0 Turkey 23'
Leh do some shit dey...steups
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Turkey hit the bar and leading 1-0 after 22 mnts.
Curious to see what will happen in the last 25 mnts of this game.
VB
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1-1 in the 26th....
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Bastian facking Schweinsteiger.... 1-1 26'
...off the pass from Podolsky
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I applaud Turkey for the opening goal. Lots of bad passing and giving up corners on Germany's side. But given Turkey's situation and early goal means almost nothing.
Get it together Deutschland
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Lehmann skin up on de line like ah ole ting..
As ah type de man eh make ah note whole game and score yes..game on
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well there you go
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good pass from lucas
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game on boy........Turkey dominate so far, but Germany come right back
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steups, meh whole fantasy league defense officially salt. >:(
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Is either you support Germany or you don't. Germany just jogging around and not really exerting themselves to much. Don't worry.
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just now podolski gettin on de scorecard.
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Turkey shooting like a beast fromthe outside.
I hope TT footballers watching this and looking at the Turkish Free Kicks...Damn.
VB
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game is on what channel?
WAR
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Online yuh get it at justin.tv
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i cyah understand how the commentator say turkey fortunate not to be behind at the end of the half.
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On de German goal,de Turkish defender leave his feet too early and shouldn't committ in front de goal moute.Cyar do dat !
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Online yuh get it at justin.tv
Cool I dey home .. I pass it up on ESPN because its half time but I watching now .. Thanks.
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I applaud Turkey for the opening goal. Lots of bad passing and giving up corners on Germany's side. But given Turkey's situation and early goal means almost nothing.
Get it together Deutschland
Dat is strategy eman... Let turkey score first and they aint go know what to do... ;D ;D
On a serious note though.. Germany better watch dey ass.
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Bomb match so far :applause: :applause: :applause: to both teams
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i cyah understand how the commentator say turkey fortunate not to be behind at the end of the half.
He said they were unfortunate not to be ahead at the 1/2.
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That is a PK....no two ways about it. Why they can't show the replay yet?
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Bomb match so far :applause: :applause: :applause: to both teams
This European Championships made the last World Cup look like a rain delayed test match between Bermuda and Scotland. It's been enthralling to say the least.
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Was waiting for the replay before commenting... Lamm earned a legitimate penalty there. Blown call by the official...but what else is new.
that's been about the only downside to this European Championship.
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Was waiting for the replay before commenting... Lamm earned a legitimate penalty there. Blown call by the official...but what else is new.
that's been about the only downside to this European Championship.
Bush pardoned that Turkey
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Much better by Germany...
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Was waiting for the replay before commenting... Lamm earned a legitimate penalty there. Blown call by the official...but what else is new.
that's been about the only downside to this European Championship.
nah it was outside de box...ah free kick at most..
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Anyone think the Germans trying not to do to much work? They not doing too much running their passes are short, and not to explosive.
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Ho Turkey a kick dong man suh?
War
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Was waiting for the replay before commenting... Lamm earned a legitimate penalty there. Blown call by the official...but what else is new.
that's been about the only downside to this European Championship.
nah it was outside de box...ah free kick at most..
Agree.
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Was waiting for the replay before commenting... Lamm earned a legitimate penalty there. Blown call by the official...but what else is new.
that's been about the only downside to this European Championship.
nah it was outside de box...ah free kick at most..
Look like one foot in one foot out the box... foul regardless.
steups...
Now current gorn in Switzerland, lol
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arghhhhh
waz d online link?
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Aye ! JACKO !!! ;D
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this may just well be the euro for the undergogs. Turkey and Russia are playing well... still supporting Spain tho!
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kandi...
go here: justin.tv
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lightening hit took d feed out...
it's back up
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lightening hit took d feed out...
it's back up
it was out online as well,
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lightening hit took d feed out...
it's back up
Doh study dem... is somebody trip over de plug in de truck... :rotfl:
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arghhhhh
waz d online link?
tvuplayer
cctv5 or Shanghai sports
these channels also on sopcast
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arghhhhh
waz d online link?
tvuplayer
cctv5 or Shanghai sports
these channels also on sopcast
sopcast 6007
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this may just well be the euro for the undergogs. Turkey and Russia are playing well... still supporting Spain tho!
Look so.
The Turks remind me of de spirit of de Warriors in Germany.
Dey displaying Big testicles.
So big,dat they have feathers sprouting out of dem.
Good luck to dem.
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feed out but they say that KLose has scored for Germany making it 2-1
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Andy Gray was just cussing Klose and suggesting that Low pull him... de man gone and score yes
2-1 Germany... current gone again so ent sure what going on otherwise.
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feed out but they say that KLose has scored for Germany has scored making it 2-1
AAARG where is the feed
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2-1 Germany... current gone again so ent sure what going on otherwise.
Anybody else still seeing the game?
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nothing...nada....zilch...
goal was a header
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GOAL! 2-1 Germany! Lahm crosses from the left, Rustu gets absolutely nowhere near it and Klose heads it home! From nowhere Germany lead!
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lewwe see if Turkey have one more dose ah poison in de syringe..
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2-1 Germany.
Turkey almost equalise.
The whole German bench is Turks.
VB
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2-1 Germany... current gone again so ent sure what going on otherwise.
Anybody else still seeing the game?
yeah 85th mins still 2-1 germany
oppppssss 2-2
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look like de feed gone everywhere... Go klose
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oh lawd..what a game...3 mins to go
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2-1 Germany... current gone again so ent sure what going on otherwise.
Anybody else still seeing the game?
yeah 85th mins still 2-1 germany
oppppssss 2-2
you for real?
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turkey 2-2 germany
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not one ah Lehmann better games....he tootsin down heself
ah fan jus run on de field and get skate tackle by about 6 security...
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sounds like lahm getting turned up regular
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turkey 2-2 germany
steups...i was betting on senturk to score a late one, but i needed arshavin in mih front line...
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3-2 Germany
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2-2... feed back on... 89'
Sami Senturk with a nice little touch off a tough right-side angle past Lehmann.
Lamm scores in the 90'
3-2 Germany... heck of a finish by Lamm.
Picture gone again.
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3-.2 germany
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Ze Germans will come through, don't worry......
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2-2........Semi.....
These f**kers coudl survive boy.
GUN SHOTS IN my neighbourhood now
VB
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Turkey's done and dusted.
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2-2........Semi.....
These f**kers coudl survive boy.
GUN SHOTS IN my neighbourhood now
VB
Well dey musse real dustin' up now... lol
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3-2 Germany
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It have room on the bandwagon....welcome aboard anyone.
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2-2........Semi.....
These f**kers coudl survive boy.
GUN SHOTS IN my neighbourhood now
VB
VB is John John yuh livin or what? :devil: :devil: :devil:
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sounds like lahm getting turned up regular
yeah dey was abusing him whole game, but look like go pull out de winner...
bad tackle by Ballack in ah dangerous position
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2-2........Semi.....
These f**kers coudl survive boy.
GUN SHOTS IN my neighbourhood now
VB
VB is John John yuh livin or what? :devil: :devil: :devil:
Gun shots stopped? or they shooting their TVs now? :devil:
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GAME OVER...
Germany wins 3-2 officially
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everytime feed cut out ah goal score, so i expecting a 3-3
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Under the circumstances, a helluva performance by the Turks.
VB
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Under the circumstances, a helluva performance by the Turks.
VB
yeah, ah feel they earn real fans this tournament...
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Congrats Germany....
cyah believe Turkey, was missing so many players and push Germany for 89 mins....good game
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well ah dont feel as bad... All in vienna de feed drop not just Asia. All de way through now... Who is de next team comin to de big dance....
Ballack was quiet this game and go have to step it up in de final.
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E Man you could stop sweating now :-)
Yeah the gunshots stop...:-)
VB
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Congrats Germany....
cyah believe Turkey, was missing so many players and push Germany for 89 mins....good game
They didn't just 'push' Germany, they were in the ascendancy for the majority of the game. Germany escape with a win today. Congrats to them tho.
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May have to eat my words, but with the Turkish team so depleted I think Germany is getting a free pass in this game.....
Scratch that thought...sounds like Turkey gave them a run for their money......
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well ah dont feel as bad... All in vienna de feed drop not just Asia. All de way through now... Who is de next team comin to de big dance....
Ballack was quiet this game and go have to step it up in de final.
Ballack is Bollocks... highly overrated. Hasn't lived up to hype ever since right before the WC... is two years now of steady sub-par play.
They didn't just 'push' Germany, they were in the ascendancy for the majority of the game. Germany escape with a win today. Congrats to them tho.
I dunno about all that... Germany had complete control of the second-half, based on what I saw (in between outages) and based on the commentary. Considering the chances by both sides I think it was evenly-played at best, if not more in Germany's control.
The non-call of the penalty aside... Lamm had a pretty eventful game, giving up a goal (if you want to blame him), setting up a goal...and scoring a goal...game winner at that. Maybe he trying to get outta being stuck in dat Left Back role, lol.
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Congrats Germany....
cyah believe Turkey, was missing so many players and push Germany for 89 mins....good game
They didn't just 'push' Germany, they were in the ascendancy for the majority of the game. Germany escape with a win today. Congrats to them tho.
Turkiye....the country with the biggest heart at this Euros
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Congrats Germany....
cyah believe Turkey, was missing so many players and push Germany for 89 mins....good game
They didn't just 'push' Germany, they were in the ascendancy for the majority of the game. Germany escape with a win today. Congrats to them tho.
Turkiye....the country with the biggest heart at this Euros
AGREE.
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Look at talk.....papa yo.
My German team save themselves for the finals. Did just enough to get to the finals, so they won't be tired.
Alyuh could hug the underdogs all you want, we in the finals
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Look at talk.....papa yo.
My German team save themselves for the finals. Did just enough to get to the finals, so they won't be tired.
Alyuh could hug the underdogs all you want, we in the finals
Bah.............Hamburg ;D
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I just got back from the local rumshop ..
three outages .. I miss two goals and the stoppage time. steups
I see Bakes make a comment about outages but I did not read all de posts. Was it North American wide?
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i give turkey the highest respect. team of de tournament in my mind.
whey germany going? spain holding that trophy this rounds. vamos espana!!!!!!
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I just got back from the local rumshop ..
three outages .. I miss two goals and the stoppage time. steups
I see Bakes make a comment about outages but I did not read all de posts. Was it North American wide?
I only just reach and heard it was the external transmission of the game.
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I just got back from the local rumshop ..
three outages .. I miss two goals and the stoppage time. steups
I see Bakes make a comment about outages but I did not read all de posts. Was it North American wide?
Worldwide from what we can gather... outages at the point of origin of the broadcasts.
Current itself didn't go on we end...lightning disrupted transmission from Switzerland.
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Well in Turkey we get transmission right through.
Good thing or they mighta really shoot up the place..:-)
VB
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that game was pressure...glad to see the germans pulled it off. Backing them from de start of de tourney. They making me enjoy rubbing the wins in my friends faces!
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Congrats 2 eman and his peeps
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Real heart showed by the turks that was a boss game an Germany that is as far as you go cause spain taking that trophy!!!!!!!!!
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ah vex ah miss de 2nd half,but after readin them post all de action was in de last 10 mins.
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Espn replay at 8pm show the game in its entirety.
Wonderful game...the turks lorse because Kazim Richards eat a beat and shame in he arse fall down and look injured. Everybody stop to watch him and nobody take orn Lahm until he reach in the 18. By that time he done unleash the curlers and is goal.
I real sorry Turkey lorse.
P.S. Lehmann was poor.
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Lahm bomb up the pitch to make and finish the move for the winning goal yesterday.
Germany played Total Football.