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25 June 2008

Euro 2008 Semi Final: What Can a Meatless Turkey do Against Hungry Germans

Today is the first semi final match of Euro 2008. And it pits the Cinderella story, Turkey, against powerful Germany.

Germany analysis: The Germans have been on a bit of a roller coaster in this tournament. They barely made it out of the group stages, only to dispatch with authority their quarterfinal opponent, Portugal. So the down and out Germans have put their best foot forward again in typical fashion and are looking strong going in to this match. Players to watch: Schweinsteiger, Frings, Klose, Podolski, and of course, Ballack. When the number 13 is on his game, with all of the attacking options the Germans possess, they are an extremely formidable opponent for any side.

Turkey analysis: Oh Turkey...I will miss watching you play. This Turkish side which takes the field today against Germany is but a shell of the team that pulled off some of the most gut wrenching comebacks in the history of the Euro's and which earn a spot among the greatest comebacks in International football. But they are a team decimated by injuries to key players (Nihat) and by yellow card suspensions (Tuncay). The hole left in the middle by Tuncay's absence will be a monumental one to fill. Turkey have arguably played with more heart than any team in this tournament, but I just don't think they have the depth to defeat a rising Germany.

Final Prediction: Germany 3 Turkey 0

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