What: Euro 2012 Qualifiers – Group A
Who: Turkey (2nd; 14 points) vs Germany (1st; 24 points)
When: Friday 7th October, 2011, at 19:30 UK time
Where: Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey
Qualification in Sight
With the 2012 European Championship lingering on the horizon for Turkey, the Eurasian side welcome rivals and group leaders Germany. It is a match that has become a special tale between the two sides as of late, given the considerable Turkish community residing in Germany and its production of stars that have impressed Bundesliga followers, as well as the rest of the world.
Almost a year ago, the two sides faced off in Berlin in the corresponding fixture, with the hosts coming out eventual winners via a 3-0 score. With two games to spare in the qualifications for next summer’s event, Turkey know full well that a result against Germany could very well earn a playoff ticket should Belgium stumble against Kazakhstan.
Turkey went all the way to the semi-final four years ago, before exiting the tournament against the Germans themselves. Having sorely missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup festivities in South Africa, the Crescent Stars are on the brink of a comeback.
Whilst midfield sensation Nuri Sahin remains sidelined, Guus Hiddink’s squad nonetheless has much talent in the likes of Arda Turan and Mehmet Topal, amongst others. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, it really is do or die for Hiddink’s men.
Inch-Perfect
With eight wins out of eight matches so far, 28 goals scored and just five conceded, Germany have undoubtedly imposed themselves as the competition’s biggest favourites next to trophy holders and world champions Spain. Having secured qualification for Euro 2012, Joachim Low’s team have little to play for in this match. That does not mean however that they will be taking things lightly.
Germany’s situation will allow Low the luxury of trying a different formation and different players for this match. The coach also played down the effect of likely jeers ready to be lashed out at Mesut Ozil from the Turkish supporters over the Real Madrid star’s preference of birth country Germany over that of his ancestors: “We may play with a 4-4-2 for the next two games with two strikers up front. Ozil dealt well with all the whistles in the first game in Berlin and it will be the same in Turkey. It will be an emotional game for him. Ozil has matured and has learned how to cope."
On the scoresheet himself when the two sides met last year, Ozil is leading a pack of gifted and talented German players. Having narrowly missed on the major accolades ever since the 2002 World Cup, the Mannschaft have sent out a real statement of intent so far.
Recent form
Turkey:
Turkey 2-0 Austria
(29/03; Euro 2012 qualifiers)
Turkey 3-0 Estonia (10/08; Friendly)
Turkey 2-1 Kazakhstan
(02/09; Euro 2012 qualifiers)
Germany:
Germany 3-2 Brazil (10/08; Friendly)
Germany 6-2 Austria
(02/09; Euro 2012 qualifiers)
Poland 2-2 Germany (06/09; Friendly)
Players to watch
Turkey – Arda Turan: The Atletico Madrid winger is having a good season so far with his new club, who are aiming to forget the Sergio Aguero-Diego Forlan era. A gifted player, the former Galatasaray captain is undoubtedly one of the go-to performers in Hiddink’s squad and will hope to be the one who helps his side to victory.
Germany – Mario Gotze: While the talk about Mesut Ozil’s talent has hardly stopped, Germany have offered yet another star in the making in the form of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze, whose talent is supposed to be equal to that of the current Real Madrid playmaker. Gotze now has the chance to take the next step.
Match Prediction
Turkey are a lot more motivated to win this than the Germans, but Low will not field a second-string side, even with nothing to gain from this match. The Turks are in desperate need of a result, but it still will not be enough for them to completely get one over their opponents. Turkey 2-2 Germany.
Who will come out on top in this Euro 2012 qualifier clash between Turkey and Germany? Check out the latest Euro 2012 Odds and important facts that will help you to broaden your football knowledge and place a bet on the winning team.
