Euro 2012 preview:
Germany v Turkey
Turkey manager Guus Hiddink won't soon let his side forget the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Germans four years ago in Basel when Germany won 3-2 over the Turks in the Euro 2008 semi-final.
The two sides meet for the first time since their encounter four years ago, this time with qualification for Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine hanging in the balance in what could be one of the most pivotal matches in each side's qualifying campaign. On
Friday, Germany play hosts to a fiery Turkish side who will be eager for revenge in what will be one of the most closely watched fixtures of this week's qualifying matches.
Recent Form
Germany and Turkey sit number one and two in group A each with two wins from two matches. Austria are also undefeated in the group but have played only one match (a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan) and sit
three points back as a result. Germany have managed wins against a tough Belgium side, when they won 1-0 in Belgium, and thrashed Azerbaijan 6-1. Turkey also beat Belgium 3-2 just over a month ago and easily dealt with Kazakhstan with a 3-0 victory away from
home.
Germany made it all the way to the final four years ago before losing to Spain, and have since finished in third place during the summer's World Cup in South Africa where they were once again defeated
by Spain. Since making it to the semi-finals of the Euro Championships four years ago Turkey failed to qualify for the most recent World Cup and will be looking to make a comeback to the international stage.
Players to watch
Although Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff will be without his midfield stalwart Bastian Schweinsteiger, he is confident the rest of his side will be up for the challenge which lies
ahead.
"We have always managed to compensate for injuries such as that of Michael Ballack before the World Cup. But it will make things difficult against Turkey as a good midfield partnership
has been torn apart. Schweinsteiger, alongside (Real Madrid's Sami) Khedira really played well at the World Cup," he told the German daily,
Bild.
Khedira will be in the lineup for Germany as will Munich striker Miroslav Klose, whose international scoring record is almost without parallel. Klose already has three goals during
Germany's qualifying campaign so far, and 55 in his international career.
Turkey boast an impressive side filled with several long-serving internationals including Hamit Altintop, Tuncay Sanli, Nihat Kahveci, and Emre Belozoglu. They will, however, be
without one of their regular playmakers, Galatasaray midfielder Arda Turan, who has suffered a groin injury. Turan could be out of action for as much as eight weeks.
What to expect
It's always hard to bet against the Germans. Even when they are outplayed they find ways to win matches – especially important matches which this is. However, Guus Hiddink's track record on the international
stage is unmatched, and the Dutchman has a knack for making every team he coaches as good as it can possibly be, and making seemingly mediocre players look like superstars. Turkey will upset the Germans on home soil 2-1.
Tags: