Regarding Mert Gunok’s last-minute save, the UK-based broadcaster BBC asked, “Was this one of the best saves in the history of the European Championships?” he said. The Guardian reported, “Two goals from Demiral put Turkey in the quarterfinals.” A news story on the UK Sky Sports website said, “Merih Demiral’s goal and a brilliant save from Mert Gunok in the final minutes put Turkey in the quarterfinals.”
Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport also ran a headline reading, “Demiral exaggerates: two goals against Austria, Montella’s Turkey in the quarterfinals.”
The famous Spanish newspaper Marca also reported that “Demiral scored two goals to make Turkey the champions.” ESPN, referring to English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who was selected as the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, said, “Turkey’s ‘Gordon Banks’ saves stunned Austria.”
Germany-based Bild newspaper shared images of the post-match victory celebrations, reporting that “thousands of Turkish fans celebrate victory over Austria.”
“The national anthem hadn’t even finished when the ball hit the net and Merih Demiral took advantage of a mistake by the Austrian defence with just a minute to go,” Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported.
French newspaper Le Monde echoed that sentiment, saying: “The scent of revenge in the air at the Red Bull Arena (Austria won 6-1) quickly reached the Austrians’ noses. Merih Demiral took advantage of the confusion in the penalty area.”
“I had no idea this excited child was disruptive.”
The Guardian reporter Jonathan Liu wrote about young star Arda Güler.
We all knew what Arda Güler could do with the ball. But here’s what we didn’t know:
Little did we know that in the absence of Hakan Calhanoglu, one of Europe’s brightest young talents would be leading the team on the biggest stage against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.
We knew this child would be exciting, but we didn’t know that this exciting child would also be disruptive.
“Smart off the field, brave on the field.”
In his article on Arda Guler, Athletic writer James Horncastle made the following point:
Arda Güler… unashamed off the field, bold on it. Last night he tried to score from midfield. He was always telling his teammates where they should be. He pushed them aside and disagreed when there was something he didn’t like.
After cutting in Melih and Turkey’s second goal, he turned to the Austrian fans who were showering him with glasses and showed them his ears, an iconic moment that sent Turkish fans all over the field rejoicing.
