Defeat to Croatia was best thing for us, believes Ballack

Published on Tuesday 24 June 2008 23:32

CAPTAIN Michael Ballack reported an air of quiet confidence and calm in the Germany camp ahead of their Euro 2008 semi-final against Turkey tonight, insisting valuable lessons had been learnt from earlier in the tournament.

Germany came into the competition as one of the big favourites, but after starting with an impressive 2-0 win over Poland their air of invincibility was shattered in their second match and they were brought crashing to earth by Croatia – the team Turkey beat in the quarter-finals.

That 2-1 loss to Slaven Bilic's men left Germany needing a result in their final group match against Austria to go through, and for Ballack the defeat also gave his side a huge wake-up call.

Since then there have been no more slip-ups, with Joachim Lw's men easing past Austria 1-0 and then recording a fine 3-2 victory over the highly-fancied Portuguese in the quarter-final.

Looking back Ballack admits that while the performances in the games against Croatia and Portugal were very different, he believes they both served to make Germany a better team heading into tonight's meeting with the Turks in Basel.

"Portugal were treated as the big favourites. When you knock this team out of the tournament in such a way, then that gives us immense self-belief. That was exactly the game the we needed at this stage of the tournament," said Ballack.

"The hardest phase of the tournament has been weathered. I sense lots of positives, but also a certain calmness. I have the feeling that we will not play another game like we did against Croatia."

The Chelsea midfielder insists the team's self-belief did not disappear following the loss to Croatia in Klagenfurt, but admits the result brought certain things into focus.

"Our self-confidence was always there and we have not let ourselves be distracted by the external criticism. But you can't always say: everything is fine, everything is great," he added.

"If too much harmony dominates, than aggression can get lost. You need a certain amount of inner aggression, a bit of anger about you and the others in order to give your maximum.

"We Germans also need doggedness in order to carry through our game. If you see the Portuguese, they are in part better set up than us because of their individual players. But we as a team set closeness, unconditional will, single-mindedness against them.

"The success vindicated us. Against Croatia, we had lost this aggression – luckily at a time when we could still react."

Germany coach Lw has a full-strength squad to choose from as Torsten Frings has seemingly recovered from a rib injury.

Turkey forward Semih Senturk, meanwhile, is happy for everyone to continue writing his side off as they look to make it through to a European Championship final for the first time.

Turkey are already in uncharted waters having never before progressed beyond the quarter-finals of this competition, and for most they will be major underdogs.

However, that outsiders' tag fits just fine for Semih, who said: "Everybody thinks Germany are favourites against us. But it is only motivating us even more.

"We will be confident in ourselves against Germany. We know what we have achieved and we are proud of it. I think Germany will have some fear playing against us, because it is a one-off match and the loser will be going home."

Turkey's route to the last four has been the most astonishing and thrilling of the semi-finalists, with Fatih Terim's men looking dead and buried on numerous occasions.

In the group stages, Turkey were always up against it after losing their opening match 2-0 to Portugal, and when they trailed in their subsequent matches against Switzerland and Czech Republic their prospects looked grim.

But the Turks staged second-half comebacks in both matches before netting last-gasp winners that saw them progress through to the quarter-finals, where their roller-coaster ride continued against Croatia.

Turkey went a goal down in the 119th minute, but Semih's equaliser seconds later sent the game to penalties where the Turks won through.

Semih, who has earned a reputation as a goalscoring substitute with Fenerbahce, has now scored twice coming off the bench in Euro 2008, with both goals proving crucial.

Talking about his goal against Croatia, Semih said: "To be truthful, I thought the tournament was over for us. But after their goal, our coach Fatih Terim told us to launch the ball forward. When the ball eventually dropped in front of me, I hit it, with the help of God, for one of my most unforgettable goals."

Terim will have his work cut out plotting Germany's downfall as he will be without a host of players through injury and suspension.

Captain and talisman Nihat Kahveci is out of the tournament with a thigh injury, while Emre Gungor has also gone home.

Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel sits out the second game of his two-match ban following his red card against the Czechs, while Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik are also banned.

Two members of the Turkish squad, Hamit Altintop and Hakan Balta, were born in Germany and Lw had spells as coach of Turkish sides Fenerbahce and Adanaspor.

Altintop, whose surname means 'golden ball', is the fulcrum of the team and frustrates markers by drifting between attack and midfield.

He could prove to be a key man if Turkey's lofty ambitions are to be realised against the odds tonight.

Lw knows his five-man midfield might hold key against weakened team

&#149 FORMATIONS

Germany coach Joachim Lw, back on the bench after his one-match banishment to the stands by Uefa following his "sending-off" in the group stage against co-hosts Austria, will have to decide whether to stick with the 4-5-1 formation he used against Portugal, or revert to his favoured 4-4-2.

Playing five in midfield meant he could give a much freer role to Chelsea's Michael Ballack, who has been devastating in attack in the tournament so far. Lw must be tempted to stick with the same strategy.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim's hand will be forced by what players he has available, but is likely to also play 4-4-2.

Who fills those positions is the subject of some conjecture because he has so many injuries and suspensions to deal with.

&#149 STRENGTHS

Germany clearly have strengths in every department, but their biggest attribute may well be in their heads.

The Germans grow up believing they will reach the later stages, if not the final, of every competition they enter, and are also bound to feel confident playing against a Turkish team severely depleted by absent personnel.

Turkey, though, have proved they possess a mental strength and resilience better than anyone else here. Terim's team have trailed to Switzerland, Czech Republic and Croatia before triumphing, and their never-say-die attitude could again be vital.

&#149 WEAKNESSES

If Germany take a weakness into this match it is likely to be that of over-confidence. The centre of defence also remains porous.

Turkey are severely weakened by the absences of key players like captain Nihat Kahveci because of injury and Tuncay Sanli, who is suspended. Terim could go into the game with only 13 fit or eligible players, including third choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin.

&#149 DEFENCE

Central defenders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder have played over 80 times between them for Germany but still look some way short of international class, although the wide defenders Arne Friedrich and Philipp Lahm have done well here and restricted Cristiano Ronaldo's influence in the quarter-final.

The Turkey defence is in some disarray with goalkeeper Volkan Demirel suspended, pending a Uefa appeal, and Emre Gungor injured and Emre Asik suspended, while Servet Cetin is doubtful with a knee injury.

&#149 MIDFIELD

Ballack's role in the midfield is likely to determine the outcome, which could well go in Germany's favour.

The absence of the suspended Tuncay and Arda Turan will severely harm Turkey's chances, although Mehmet Topal has impressed when given the chance. Emre Belozoglu, sidelined with a hamstring injury, has resumed training and could be forced back into action as Turkey's situation is so desperate.

&#149 ATTACK

The form of Lukas Podolski, who has scored three goals in the tournament, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, who got the first goal against Portugal after returning from suspension, are likely to tip the balance Germany's way in attack – especially if Ballack is given licence to get forward again.

Turkey will miss captain Nihat Kahveci up front, but Semih Senturk is a very good marksman even if the majority of his goals come when he arrives as a substitute.