Our national team faced Austria in the round of 16 of the EURO 2024 knockout stage. In the match held in Leipzig, the Crescent Stars defeated their opponents 2-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Merih Demiral scored goals in the 1st and 59th minutes for his national team against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
The successful footballer’s celebration after his first goal became one of the most talked about topics on social media.
UEFA investigation
UEFA announced that they had launched an investigation into Meri Demiral’s goal celebration in the match against Austria.
The statement said the investigation had been launched due to Demiral’s “inappropriate behaviour”.
Dividend received from Minister BAK
Following UEFA’s decision to investigate, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Ashkin Bak shared a post on his social media account. In the post, Bak wrote about Meri Demiral’s goal celebration, saying, “There is no need to go into detail…”
Demiral: There was a reaction, but…
At a press conference after the match, national team striker Merih Demiral commented. Merih Demiral said he is trying to do his best for the national team, saying, “I am always working hard. We are seeing different results in the preparation matches now. When I went to Saudi Arabia, there was a reaction of, ‘Why did you go there at that age?’ I have seen all of this, but I kept working. I am trying to do my best for the national team, and today we achieved a well-deserved victory. “I am very happy about this,” he said.
“I am very proud to be Turkish.”
Merih Demiral said he was very happy to score the goal, saying, “I did it with the joy of the goal in mind. It has to do with Turkishness.” I’m very proud to be Turkish, so after the goal I felt it in my bones. That’s what I wanted to do, so I’m very happy that I was able to do it. All our fans are proud of us. “I saw the fans doing it in the stands. Seeing them made me want to do more. I’m very happy,” he said.
“Probably one of the best saves I’ve ever seen live.”
Speaking about Mert Gunok’s save in the dying seconds of the game, the 26-year-old defender said: “Brother Mert really congratulated me. After the game we spoke, I couldn’t believe the save, we are still impressed, it was a great save, probably one of the best I have ever seen live. Mert Arbay deserves it, he is our oldest footballer and he always guides us. We benefit a lot from his experience. I was very happy for him to make that save in today’s game. “It was really amazing,” he said.
“We fought hard as a team today.”
Demiral said the win was deserved, saying: “There are many good games in my career, but also games where I played well as a national team. I think we played well today, but we fought hard as a team today. We got a well-deserved victory. Everyone fought hard on the field. There was a hard struggle, I am in that struggle too. I am proud of the team, it feels great and I hope we can continue to do that. Our fans are really great, we feel it in our bones. When we play, their support is incredible, we play like a home team. It is a great opportunity for us that he will play in Berlin and there will be more Turkish fans there. “I am happy that they are there, I hope they will continue to support us for a long time to come,” he commented.
“I just wanted to show how proud and happy I am.”
When asked about the goal celebration, Merih Demiral said: “What I mean is, we don’t do that when celebrating a goal. I saw it in the stands. We are all Turkish in Turkey. I am proud to be Turkish. I say it every time, but it’s very normal that I did the same goal celebration, I’m proud of us, I hope it continues. I just wanted to show how proud and happy I am.”
“We worked hard and we got rewarded for it.”
Demiral said assistant coach Selçuk Sahin showed the Austrian team’s weaknesses in set pieces, “He showed us Austria’s weaknesses both in training and in the video.” We also turned the corner accordingly. We worked hard for this. Selçuk Hodja worked hard here and showed us a lot. After the goal, I went to him. We worked hard and were rewarded for the work. Austria has not conceded a goal from a set piece and today we scored two. We work hard, we have a great team and we are rewarded for it. It’s been more than a month since we came to the camp and it’s going well every day. The Netherlands is a strong team and has great fans, but Berlin is always a different place for us. “I hope we are as prepared as possible,” he said.
Hosting ARDA is an opportunity for the national team and the country.”
“We are very proud of Arda Güler,” said the 26-year-old defender. “We are all very proud of Arda, there is a very good friendship in the team. We support Arda a lot, he is a great kid, only 19 years old. He shows his quality in every game. Of course, there is no jealousy or anything, everyone wants each other to be happy and that’s why we are successful. Arda is a very good kid and a very good footballer. The signing of Arda is an opportunity for the national team and for our country. “I hope he continues to work like this and make our country proud,” he concluded.
