Source: EPA
July 6, 2024, 20:35 +03
Updated 1 hour ago
In the final quarter-final match of the European Football Championship, Turkey was eliminated from the tournament after losing 2-1 to the Netherlands, who were leading 1-0 at the half. The Netherlands advanced to the semi-finals to face England.
Türkiye took the lead in the 35th minute with a goal from Samet Akaydin. The Netherlands equalized in the 70th minute with a goal from Stefan de Vrij, and then left the field with the victory in the 76th minute with an own goal from Mert Myrdür from a kick by Kodi Gakpo.
Turkiye’s 11 players in the match, officiated by French referee Clement Turpin, were Mert Gunok, Mert Mürdül, Samet Akaydın, Abdülkerim Bardakçi, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Khan Ayhan, Salih Özkan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız, Barıs Alper Yılmaz and Arda Güler.
Captain Hakan Calhanoglu and Samet Akaydoun have joined the national team after serving their suspensions.
Merih Demiral, who was given a two-match suspension by UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee for his “Grey Wolf” goal celebration against Austria, and Ismail Yüksek and Orkun Kökçü, who were suspended for yellow cards, did not play in this match.
The Netherlands, without any suspended players, are in the field with 11 players: Bert Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, Tijani Lijndarts, Jerdy Schouten, Xavi Simons, Steven Bergwijn, Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay.
Turkiye went into the first half leading 1-0 in the 35th minute with a header from Samet Akaydoun, the goal assisted by Arda Güler.
The Netherlands started the second half with Wout Werghorst replacing Steven Bergwijn.
The most decisive moment of the match came in the 56th minute when Arda Güler’s free kick hit the post.
The Netherlands equalised in the 70th minute with a goal from Stefan de Vrij after a pass from Memphis Depay, before taking the lead in the 76th minute when Mert Myrdur put the ball into his own net after a kick from Kody Gakpo.
In the second half, Turkey brought on Oke Yokuslu, Kerem Aktırkol, Cenk Tosun and Zeki Celik in place of Salih Ozcan, Kenan Yıldız and the injured Samet Akaydın and Mert Müldur.
For the Netherlands, Micky van de Ven, Joey Veerman, Jeremie Frimpong and Joshua Zirkzee replaced Nathan Ake, Tijani Lijnders, Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons.
The Netherlands won 2-1, defeating Turkey and progressing to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Source: EPA
Who said what after the game?
“It’s disappointing that we lost, but we have a result to be proud of,” Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella told TRT after the match.
“Turkey performed well, they played with passion and we were lucky in the last minutes,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.
Cody Gakpo, one of the Netherlands’ leading players, said Turkey was a very good team but caused them a lot of problems throughout the match.
Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu said: “Sadly, this is the end. I would be happy if we can bring this excitement to the country,” while Salih Ozcan said he was very happy to play for such a team.
Match Statistics
The Netherlands won 59.1 percent of the game, while Turkiye had 40.9 percent of the ball possession.
Turkiye led in shots 15-11, but shots on target were tied at 4-4.
The Netherlands touched the ball in the penalty area 22 times, Turkiye 18 times.
Mert Gunok made three saves and Dutch goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen made two.
Holland won 12 airballs, Turkiye won nine.
Holland committed 16 fouls, Turkiye 7.
Turkije took seven corner kicks, while the Netherlands took three.
The BBC chose Arda Güler as the best player with a score of 8.88 out of 10. The best player for the Netherlands according to the BBC was Cody Gakpo.
Source: Reuters
Lots of support for Türkiye in the stands
Merih Demiral entered the field before the match and greeted the cheering fans with a greeting. Many fans in the stands were wearing Merih Demiral masks.
Turkish fans were present in most of the stands at the 71,000-seat Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Fans in the stands, holding crescent star jerseys and flags, gave Turkey a huge cheer.
After the match, the national team players were very sad.
Captain Hakan Calhanoglu and some of the players were unable to hold back tears.
Source: Reuters
In EURO 2024 Group F, Turkey beat Georgia 3-1, Czech Republic 2-1, and lost 0-3 to Portugal, finishing second in the group, six points behind Portugal on goal difference, and faced Austria in the final match. They defeated Austria 2-1 in the round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands beat Poland 2-1 in Group D, drew 0-0 with France and lost 3-2 to Austria to finish third in their group, then beat Romania 3-0 in the last 16 to stay in the top three and improve their ranking to reach the quarter-finals.
Turkiye previously played in the quarter-finals of the European Championships in 2000 and the semi-finals in 2008.
The Netherlands won the tournament in 1988; placed third in 1976; reached the semi-finals in 1992, 2000 and 2004; and reached the quarter-finals in 1996 and 2008.
President Erdogan at the Berlin Olympic Stadium
Source: EPA
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also watched the Turkiye vs. Netherlands match at the stadium.
President Erdogan was accompanied by his wife Emine Erdogan, his son Bilal Erdogan, the president’s chief foreign policy and security adviser, Ambassador Akif Cachatai Kılıc, and Vice President for Communications Cachatai Ozdemir.
Semi-finals: Spain vs France, England vs Netherlands
Spain advanced to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 after beating hosts Germany 2-1 on Saturday with a goal in extra time, while France beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties after a game that finished 0-0 in regular time. The final. The two teams will meet in Munich on Tuesday at 22:00 CET in the semi-final.
In the second semi-final, England, who beat the Netherlands 5-3 on penalties after a match that finished 1-1 in normal time, will face off in Dortmund at 22:00 GMT.
The EURO 2024 final will take place on Sunday 14 July at 22:00 CET at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
