Netherlands destroy Turkish EM dream
At the National Anthem, Turkish football fans repeatedly showed the far-right Wolf Salute, with Mesut Özil joining State President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in doing so on the VIP balcony. Nevertheless, the Netherlands advanced to the semifinals thanks to a double blow in the second half.
The nervy Dutch team reached the Euro 2020 semifinal in the Turkish cauldron of Berlin and eliminated Turkey following the Wolf Salute controversy. Coach Ronald Koeman's team won the tense quarterfinal at the Berlin Olympic Stadium due to improved performance in the second half with a 2:1 (0:1) score and can now hope for a second triumph on German soil since 1988.
Samet Akaydin (35th minute), who replaced the suspended Merih Demiral in the starting lineup due to the Wolf Salute incident, led the Turks in front of Turkish President Erdoğan and former German national player Mesut Özil. Stefan de Vrij (70th) and an own goal by Mert Müldür (76th) turned the game around and resulted in an ecstatic Orange Party. In the semifinal, the underwhelming English await on Wednesday. In stoppage time, there was red for the Turkish bench.
For the Turks, the Euros ended bitterly after the political turbulence caused by the highly controversial Wolf Salute of the suspended Demiral. They had initially withstood the pressure and were the better team for long stretches. They destroyed their dream of a first semifinal appearance at an EM since 16 years through carelessness in the closing stages.
Police prevent fan march to the stadium
In a dark suit and red tie, Erdoğan and his wife Emine attended the game on the VIP balcony, with Özil taking a seat right behind them. They could also see many Turkish fans giving the Wolf Salute during the playing of the National Anthem.
Previously, the fan march to the stadium had been prematurely halted by the police, as Turkish fans had continuously shown the Wolf Salute. The police stated that "a fan march is 'no platform for political messages'". The UEFA agreed and suspended Demiral for the EM match. The 26-year-old had shown the symbol of the "Grey Wolves" against Austria. The supporters of the far-right "Ulkuçu Movement" are referred to as such by the German Constitutional Protection Agency. All this added fuel to the already high-risk game.
The Turks went into the game with plenty of determination. "We will be even more passionate and prouder," trainer Vincenzo Montella had promised, while also warning his players: "We must control our emotions." The balance of this was evident in the early stages. The Dutch offensive, featuring the tricky Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Memphis Depay, attacked the opposing goal with much tempo but often appeared too extravagant. The Turks defended with physicality and passion, and by mid-first half, they had gained more ball possession.
Koeman's super-sub brings about the turnaround [
Montella's men went into the game with great determination. "We will be even more passionate and proud," Montella had declared, while also cautioning his players: "We must control our emotions." The importance of this balance was evident in the early stages. The Dutch offensive, featuring the tricky Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Memphis Depay, attacked the opposing goal with much tempo but often appeared too extravagant. The Turks defended with physicality and passion, and by mid-first half, they had gained more ball possession.
Koeman's super-sub, however, brought about the turning point.
At Hakan Calhanoglu's standard, who led the midfield alongside Dortmund's Salih Özcan after serving a yellow card suspension, there was danger. The leadership also fell: The ball reached Arda Güler from an ex-Bundesliga professional after a corner, and the 19-year-old served Akaydin a customized cross to the head. Demiral applauded on the bench and laughed - but he refrained from another provocative gesture.
Coach Koeman reacted at halftime and brought on super-sub Wout Weghorst for the disappointing Steven Bergwijn. The one loaned out to Hoffenheim in the previous season Weghorst provided more momentum in the Dutch attack. The Turks dared to push forward less, but had good chances for the 2:0 through Güler's post free-kick (56.) and Kenan Yildiz (65.). However, the successful chase for the Netherland's clearly better team followed. They held the advancing Turks in check, especially goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen stood out decisively.
In the lead-up to the game, the planned fan march was halted by the police due to persistent displays of the Wolf Salute by Turkish fans, considered a political message by authorities. During the International match, both Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mesut Özil watched from the VIP balcony as several Turkish fans performed the controversial gesture during the National Anthem. Despite the controversy, the European Football Championship 2024 qualifier saw an intense battle between Turkey and the Netherlands, with the latter ultimately securing a 2-1 victory due to improved second-half performance and influential contributions from Soccer stars like Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst.
