It's not about Croatia overlooking Turkey, it's that Turkey has this way of pulling shit off nobody thinks they can. Remember, they finished 3rd in the World Cup in 2002, and who was one of the heroes that tournament? Their keeper (backup keeper this tourney), the one that will be playing tomorrow for the first time in the Euro Cup.
Croatia has talent, but they also don't have experience. This team could either win the entire tournament or lose this round and neither would surprise me.
IMO Croatia is lucky to be here. Germans played horrible, and Austria outplayed them. Can't speak to the polish game as I didn't watch.
They have not looked like the team coming into the tournment. They played great in qualifiers and so far they have not impressed. Given their best striker & possibly best player is missing, in knockout game, I would bet against them.
Turkey on the other hand played decent against Portugal, and outplayed both Czechs & Swiss. Plus they've had all sorts of luck and good karma going, and I think this will see them through this round atleast. There is always one team in every tournament that plays over their heads and gets all the bounces. IMO Turkey this is team.
Turkey 2-0.
They have not looked like the team coming into the tournment. They played great in qualifiers and so far they have not impressed. Given their best striker & possibly best player is missing, in knockout game, I would bet against them.
Turkey on the other hand played decent against Portugal, and outplayed both Czechs & Swiss. Plus they've had all sorts of luck and good karma going, and I think this will see them through this round atleast. There is always one team in every tournament that plays over their heads and gets all the bounces. IMO Turkey this is team.
Turkey 2-0.
Why don't you say any of Croatia's success is due to luck? They were outplayed by Austria, and really should have lost. They lose that game and most likely they don't even advance past the group stage. So was Turkey a little lucky to beat the Czech? Yeah, a bit (although you can't do that stuff without talent), but Croatia was a little lucky to advance as well. Also, the Germany team Croatia beat was not the Germany team we all saw beat Portugal today. The Germans played very poorly against Croatia, and that was partly from taking them too lightly. They do have a lot of talent, so if you don't give them your best effort you will most likely lose. Turkey is the underdog here so you know they'll give their best effort.
This is going to be a close game. If Turkey can hang around all it takes is a good bounce or two and they could be moving on to the semis.
Being Croatian I can tell you something about our mentality.....we love challenges and we are damn good.....Remember we were 3rd in the world when we just got our independence, because we are a proud people and we had something to play for.....Yes, we do play very uninspired games at times (Austria, Macedonia in the qualifying rounds, etc.), but we also can beat anyone, anywhere, anytime....not because we have to, but, because we want to (remember Wembley - England)......
Not only are we walking over Turkey, we are going to beat Germany a second time as well....why? ....simply because we want to....and, these games, at this moment, mean very much to the whole country of Croatia...and that being the driving force....our team will not let the country down.....
Not only are we walking over Turkey, we are going to beat Germany a second time as well....why? ....simply because we want to....and, these games, at this moment, mean very much to the whole country of Croatia...and that being the driving force....our team will not let the country down.....
I agree that Croatia can beat anybody. I've said before that I wouldn't be surprised at all if they lost to Turkey, but I also wouldn't be surprised at all if they won the entire tournament. Do I personally think they will? No, I think whoever wins this game will lose to Germany, but I don't doubt that either Turkey or Croatia have the ability to win this tournament.
I think you put too much importance on how much it means to the country because I can pretty much guarantee this means a lot to all of the countries remaining, so Croatia probably doesn't have anymore drive or determination than any other team.
Also they will not walk over Turkey. Don't underestimate the Turkish squad. The Croatians have more talent, yes, but Turkey has a pretty damn good team as well that Portugal had a hard time with. This is going to be a good game.
