Euro 2008 - 29

The comeback kids got a taste of their own medicine last night as Turkey finally succumbed to a German side that seems to have become less effective but more deadly as the tournament has progressed.

Poor reactions by Lehmann in the German goal saw the Turkish team, who played the better football throughout this game, take the lead in the 22nd minute after a shot which rebounded off the bar fell to an unmarked attacker who side footed his volley into the goal. A sweeping move up the German left saw a deft touch from Schweinsteiger as he flipped a cross past Rustu the Turkish goalkeeper.

A sickening clash of heads saw Germany lose Rolfes as the bleeding from his cut could not be stopped and the score was 1-1 at half time. Again the Turkish team pressed hard at the start of the second half, then disaster. A localised storm knocked out the television pictures to the world on at least 3 occasions, so the BBC reverted to radio commentary and a blank screen with an apologetic message.

In the first and longest break the German team sneaked into the lead after a goalkeeping error by Rustu, as he came to collect a cross but missed it entirely. So with just over 10 minutes left the Turkish team found themselves trailing by a goal. For a team trailing by 2 goals in an earlier game and coming back to win 3-2, this seemed no problem and when they scored their equaliser with only 4 minutes to go, everyone expected them to press on and win or at least take the game to Extra Time.

It wasn't to be however as Lahm, the German left back moved inside from the touchline and after playing a one-two he collected the ball just inside the Turkish penalty area. He shaped as if to play the ball to the goalkeeper's left but instead hit a rising curling drive between the goalkeeper's right hand and his near post. The comeback kids had come unstuck!

There has been some fuss over two claims for kicks from the penalty mark, one for each side. I saw the first which was in Germany's favour and I think there was some merit in the claims, but I have waved away claims like that one myself. The second I didn't see as it happened either during one of the breaks in picture transmission or I was out in the kitchen grabbing a drink of water after training.

So Germany, the pre-tournament favourites, reach the Final. They've made hard work of it but their big game temperament should see them through against their opponents, Spain or Russia. Final score last night Germany 3-2 Turkey.