06-20-2008, 10:23 PM
It was a long game to watch as there was not too much action save for some early high quality chances (off the cross bar, wowzer!) Croatia scored a spectacular goal on a Turkish error with 1:30 +stoppage to go at which point the game looked over. All of over time teams were playing it safe and there wasn't much offense to really expect much. THEN AMAZINGLY Turkey comes back with a quick strike to the top shelf off a long bomb right in front of the box to tie it up in stoppage time. If Croatia's goal didn't get you on your feet for the rest of the match, this surely did it.
Then comes the shootout. To be honest I figured on Croatia winning the match, but most certainly in penalty kicks for the sole reason Turkey had their backup goaltender between the posts. Penalty kicks are a far shot for goalkeepers in the first place, so forget for second string. I was quite impressed with Rüştü's performance, however. Granted, two shots from Croatia weren't even on goal, but actually on both shots he defended correctly and it appears as if the shots had been on target he would have had an excellent chance of stopping them. Then of course he makes the save for the win.
The bad news for Turkey despite their Cinderellas-story comeback victories is that they will likely be down 5 starting players, including their goalkeeper. They just won't be able to withstand Germany. Netherlands and Italy will win both their quarters, Netherlands will take the semis and we should she a very entertaining matchup between Germany and the Dutch.
Go Miroslav Klose!
Then comes the shootout. To be honest I figured on Croatia winning the match, but most certainly in penalty kicks for the sole reason Turkey had their backup goaltender between the posts. Penalty kicks are a far shot for goalkeepers in the first place, so forget for second string. I was quite impressed with Rüştü's performance, however. Granted, two shots from Croatia weren't even on goal, but actually on both shots he defended correctly and it appears as if the shots had been on target he would have had an excellent chance of stopping them. Then of course he makes the save for the win.
The bad news for Turkey despite their Cinderellas-story comeback victories is that they will likely be down 5 starting players, including their goalkeeper. They just won't be able to withstand Germany. Netherlands and Italy will win both their quarters, Netherlands will take the semis and we should she a very entertaining matchup between Germany and the Dutch.
Go Miroslav Klose!