Turkey beat Croatia in shootout thriller

By Mark Meadows

VIENNA (Reuters) - Turkey equalized in dramatic style with the last kick of extra time before beating Croatia on penalties after their breathtaking Euro 2008 quarter-final ended 1-1 on Friday.

Turkey, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, now meet Germany in Basel on Wednesday.

Extra time had finished in heart-stopping fashion after an absorbing encounter with two goals in the last three minutes.

Ivan Klasnic headed Croatia in front at the near post after a good run and cross by Luka Modric in the 119th minute.

But there was still time for comeback kings Turkey, who twice rallied from behind to win in the group stages, to equalize in nerve-tingling style as Semih Senturk's left-foot shot took a deflection past keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia then made a mess of the penalty shootout, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic missing the target before Turkey's 3-1 shootout victory was clinched when Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric.

Turkey trio Arda Turan, Semih Senturk and Hamit Altintop were all successful with their spot kicks.

"We fought and fought and the players keep outdoing themselves," said Turkey manager Fatih Terim. "Our people can celebrate now.

"This victory is very important for us. If our people are proud of us then we're proud of our people."

Defeat was rough on Croatia, who overall had the better of the chances with Turkey weakened by a string of injuries plus suspensions to keeper Volkan Demirel and defender Mehmet Aurelio.

Slaven Bilic's Croatia got into their stride early and repeatedly managed to penetrate the Turkish defense.

BEST OPPORTUNITY

One such occasion led to the best opportunity of the half in the 19th minute when Modric's low cross found striker Ivica Olic close in but his sliding effort rattled the bar under pressure from keeper Rustu.

Niko Kranjcar then headed the rebound over to the anguish of the Croatian contingent of fans inside the noisy Ernst Happel stadium, where several flares were lit during the game.

Mehmet Topal sent a 30-metre piledriver just wide towards the end of the first period in a rare effort for the Turks.