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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Crotia's win come to tragic end

Turkey equalized in dramatic style with the last kick of extra time before beating Croatia on penalties after their breathtaking Euro 2008 quarter-final ended 1-1 on Friday.

Ivan Klasnic headed Croatia in front at the near post after a good run and cross by Luka Modric in the 119th minute. Turkey, who twice rallied from behind to win in the group stages, equalizes in nerve-taking style as Semih Senturk's left-foot shot took a deflection past keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia then made a mess of the penalty shootout, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic missing the target before Turkey's 3-1 shootout victory was clinched when Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric.

Turkey trio Arda Turan, Semih Senturk and Hamit Altintop were all successful with their spot kicks.

Defeat was uneven on Croatia, who overall had the better of the chances with Turkey weakened by a string of injuries plus suspensions to keeper Volkan Demirel and defender Mehmet Aurelio.Slaven Bilic's Croatia got into their stride early and repeatedly managed to penetrate the Turkish defence.

Croatia went close at the start of the second half when Gokhan Zan's weak back header let in Olic, who jiggled over Rustu but failed to add the finishing touch with two defenders on the line.

Olic had two more chances and Darijo Srna forced Rustu into two saves from free kicks late in the 90 minutes but Turkey hung on to take the game into extra time.

Turkey, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, now meets Germany in Basel on Wednesday. Extra time had finished in heart-stopping fashion after an absorbing encounter with two goals in the last three minutes.

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