Lahm’s lethal strike

Turkey, playing in its first Euro semifinal, had captured the imagination of the football fraternity after staging remarkable comeback victories in its previous three matches. But for a team ravaged by injuries and suspensions a first-ever final appearance was always a tough ask. By Mike Perez.

Philipp Lahm struck a 90th-minute winner and Germany claimed the first final berth at Euro 2008 as a battling Turkey’s fairytale run finally came to an end at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

A much-weakened Turkey side had dominated the first-half but was only level at the interval after Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger had cancelled out Ugur Boral’s opener.

The second-half was a much more even contest and looked headed for extra-time after Germany striker Miroslav Klose and Semih Senturk of Turkey had each scored in the final 11 minutes.

But there was still time for Lahm to smash home the winner as the three-time European champion — twice as West Germany in 1972 and 1980 — reached the final.

Turkey, playing in its first Euro semifinal, had captured the imagination of the football fraternity after staging remarkable comeback victories in its previous three matches. But for a team ravaged by injuries and suspensions a first-ever final appearance was always a tough ask.

Despite that though, the makeshift Turkish side was still much the quicker out of the blocks and enjoyed a brilliant start to the game. Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann needed to be alert to efforts from Colin Kazim-Richards and Hamit Altintop in the first 10 minutes.

Turkey then struck the woodwork in the 13th minute through London-born Kazim-Richards, whose rising shot crashed against the top of the crossbar from 12 yards out following an Ayhan Akman cut-back.

The German defence was all at sea in the opening stages, while there was little to encourage Joachim Low’s side going forward either as Turkey bossed proceedings. It was therefore not unexpected when Turkey took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute through Boral.

The chance came after Kazim-Richards had hit the Germany crossbar for the second time — this time with an effort that looped up into the air and onto the bar — and Boral was on hand to slot home the rebound, despite Lehmann’s best efforts on the line.

Turkey’s joy was shortlived though, as Germany equalised with its first chance of the match five minutes later through Schweinsteiger. Lukas Podolski sent over a low cross from the left and Schweinsteiger darted in front of Mehmet Topal and with the outside of his right foot guided the ball across Recber Rustu and into the far corner of the net.

Opportunities were coming thick and fast at both ends with Semih’s header saved by Lehmann, who was then almost left red-faced by Altintop’s deep free-kick, which the former Arsenal goalkeeper misjudged and needed to dive backwards to tip over.

Podolski then wasted a gilt-edged chance for Germany when he was put clean through by Hitzlsperger, only for the Bayern Munich player to blaze over with just Rustu to beat.

Turkey goal-scorer Boral stung the knuckles of Lehmann with a free-kick before Sabri Sarioglu fired just over from distance as the underdog finished the first-half just as it started it — in total control.

Low expected a much better performance from his side after the break, and it might have had a dream start had Swiss referee Massimo Busacca whistled for a blatant foul on Lahm. There was little doubt it was a foul and the only question was whether it was inside the Turkey area or not — but the official gave nothing, much to the fury of the German players, the bench and supporters.

The match was more of an even contest in the second-half, with the two defences looking much less charitable than the opening period.

The ever-threatening Boral fired a rare shot at Lehmann in the 71st minute before Germany midfielder Hitzlsperger saw his left-footed effort go just wide of the top corner.

But just as the match looked to be drifting towards extra-time, Germany took the lead through Klose in the 79th minute. Rustu looked favourite to come out and claim Lahm’s lofted cross into the area, but Klose beat both Rustu and Topal to the ball to send a glancing header into an unguarded net.

That might have spelt the end of any other side’s hopes, but Turkey had proven itself an obstinate opponent in the three previous matches and, astonishingly, it managed to net yet another late goal. Sabri sent over a low cross and Semih managed to poke the ball past Lehmann at his near post.

That was not the end of the drama though as Germany showed its own determination by netting a last-gasp winner through Lahm.

Lahm raced into the Turkey area before being picked out by Hitzlsperger, and the Bayern Munich full-back showed remarkable composure to fire past Rustu into the near top corner, sending Germany into the final.

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