Confident Germany ready to stop fairy-tale Turks

Soccer News

Jun 21, 2008, 14:50 GMT

Tenero, Switzerland - Arne Friedrich almost missed the latest Turkey comeback at Euro 2008, but the Germany defender will fight until the final whistle in the teams' semi-final date. 'I got up and was about to leave the lobby when the colleagues started screaming. I didn't expect them to come back again,' Friedrich told a news conference on Saturday on how the team watched the game on TV the previous night. Semih Senturk's equalizer in extra time injury time against Croatia allowed the Turks to advance on penalties, their third big comeback effort in a row earning them the semi-final match with three-time champions Germany. 'They never give up...that is the biggest danger for us,' said Friedrich. 'They have some problems in the back but you can never write them off.' Friedrich revealed that the German players had no common view on the preferred opponent on Wednesday in Vienna, but along with striker Miroslav Klose and goalkeeper coach Andreas Koepke was upbeat that Germany has the class to win the game. 'I preferred Turkey because they suit us better. They have not really convinced me (at Euro) because of their weakness at back. I am really looking forward to the match - and am optimistic that we can win.' Klose said: 'I am optimistic. But you have to fight against the Turkish determination to win. We are ready for the game against Turkey.' Koepke revealed that the coaching staff remained calm despite the high drama in the Turkey match and that preparations began as soon as Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric to see the Turks through. He (coach Joachim Loew) knows how he wants to approach the match,' said Koepke of Loew, who has coached in Turkey at Fenerbahce and Adanaspor in the past. The Germans are well aware that they have a unique opportunity to make the first big final since Euro 1996 and to possibly lift a fourth Euro crown. 'It is about time to make history again. We are among the last four and have a real chance to achieve something good,' said Koepke, who was between the posts when Germany won Euro 1996. 'It will depend on us, we must play the way we played against Portugal and then I am convinced that we can make the final.' Germany drew a lot of confidence from a classy 3-2 victory against Cristiano Ronaldo and company. Now they run into a Turkish team which could be exhausted and is depleted on top of it. Rustu was not as convincing as Volkan Demiral between the posts and the suspended players on Wednesday also include Emre Asik, Tuncay Sanli and Arda Turan. In addition, captain Nihat Kahveci could be the latest injury casualty as he limped off the pitch with a groin problem. 'We will see if it is an advantage. But they are important players who are missing. Rustu very experienced but not always good,' said Friedrich. 'Now we are probably the favourites.'

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