Turkey takes to the streets after Croatia victory
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey fans took to the streets in force on Friday night, lighting fireworks and chanting through Istanbul back alleys, celebrating one more last minute Euro 2008 turn around.
"We knew we were going to win. It's no surprise. Turkey can't be beat, because even if you score against us we will come back," said Ahmet Turk, 22, a communications student in Istanbul, waving a large flag through downtown Istanbul.
Smoke was thick in Istanbul side streets after revellers set off fireworks to celebrate the Turkish side's three penalty goals scored against Croatia, after thirty minutes of overtime in the Euro 2008 quarter final.
Turkey matched a Croatian goal in the final minutes of overtime on Friday, sending the two teams to penalty kicks. Two Croatian players shot wide, leaving the way open for Turkey to advance to the semi-final, where they will play against Germany.
Young women hung out the windows of automobiles draped in Turkish flags, as cars flooded central Istanbul to celebrate the victory.
Nearby men stood in a circle chanting, "We are the champions."
"We may not have played so well throughout the entire game, but we were determined to win. You could see it on their faces. From here, we only have the championship to look forward to," said Zeki Oztas, 22.
The next stage will be difficult for the Turkish team after both Tuncay and Arda received yellow cards, disqualifying them from playing in the semi final along with other players Mehmet Aurelio and Volkan.
But fans said they would back the team for as far as they go.
"Turkey didn't stop fighting and it won't stop fighting until the end," said Zafer Erdogdu, 26, an industrial engineer, celebrating with his friends.
(Reporting by Thomas Grove)
