Page 28 - Soccer360 Issue 106

S360 PREDICTION | 16TH PLACE NICKNAME: THE CRESCENT STARS
TURKEY
After group stage exits at the last two Euros finals, Turkey have their sights set on the knockout rounds. Stephen Donovan asks if they have the firepower to make it through.
EURO APPEARANCES: 5
EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
FIFA RANKING 40TH
TOUGH AND TENACIOUS
Since the turn of the millennium, there has been no middle ground for Turkey when they have made it to major tournaments, as they have either performed spectacularly well or very badly. This year they will hope to banish the demons of the past two European Championships and rekindle some of the spirit and inspiration that carried them to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008 against all the odds. The reality is likely to be something in between. Reaching the last 16 will be seen as the minimum aim and it would be a major disappointment should they fail to achieve that, especially when their opening game
is against rank outsiders Georgia. A victory there will put the Crescent-Stars in a strong position ahead of meetings with Group F favourites Portugal and a decent Czech Republic side. Coach Vincenzo Montella made quite an impact after taking over
late on in their qualifying campaign to seal top spot in their group with the help of a superb win in Croatia. Although results have dipped a little over the course of recent friendly matches, the Italian has instilled some battling qualities into what is a fairly workmanlike squad lacking in star names. Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is an exception to that rule, but their main focus will be in attack as they look for a long- term successor to the recently retired
Burak Yilmaz. There are some exciting players coming through such as Juventus youngster Kenan Yildaz, but there are very few international goals among their current striking options and that could hurt their chances in Germany.
PROBABLE STARTING XI
UNAL
KAHVECI
THE COACH:
VINCENZO MONTELLA
Only appointed in September 2023, Vincenzo Montella guided Turkey through their final qualifying matches impressively
to secure top spot in their group as his 4-2-3-1 system proved hugely effective.
He’ll hope that it can be equally difficult to contend with for their Euro 2024 opponents. At 49 years of age, the Italian already has
a long list of managerial roles behind him including spells in charge of Milan, Sevilla, and Fiorentina.
KEY PLAYER:
HAKAN CALHANOGLU
A very familiar name to all fans of Serie
A having represented both Milan clubs, midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is the engine room of this Turkey side, acting as a shield for the back four while also making a vital contribution in attack. His dead ball skills are a major asset, but having struggled to make much of an impact at the past two Euros finals, he will aim to deliver on the main stage for his national team at the third time of asking.
THEIR BEST THREE EUROS
2008
2000
1996
3RD
6TH
16TH
CALHANOGLU
AKTURKOGLU
UEFA EURO OVERALL RECORD PLD:18 W:4 D:2 L:12
CELIK
OZCAN
OZKACAR
YUKSEK
DEMIRAL
SOYUNCU
CAKIR
FACTFILE
POPULATION:
85 million
EURO FINALS APPEARANCES: 5
BEST FINISH:
Semi-finals, 2008
MOST MEMORABLE EUROS MOMENT: Their late show against Croatia in the last 16 at Euro 2008.
HOW THEY GOT TO EURO 2024: Topped their qualifying group with only one defeat from eight games.
LAST EUROS APPEARANCE: 2020 - Suffered a tame early exit after being well beaten in all three of their group matches
MOST CAPPED
PLAYER: Rustu Recber, 120 caps
LEADING INTERNATIONAL SCORER: Hakan Sukur, 51 goals
HOW TO FOLLOW:
HAKAN SUKUR
VS GEORGIA VS PORTUGAL VS CZECHIA JUNE 18TH JUNE 22ND JUNE 26TH 12:00PM | EST 12:00PM | EST 3:00PM | EST
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SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024
GROUP F - UEFA EURO 2024