European Football Championship - Oranje party in Berlin - Erdogan support does not help Turks
Dutch fans celebrated nervously as Captain Virgil van Dijk of the robust Dutch team made their entry into the EURO semi-finals before the Turkish players of coach Vincenzo Montella were left shocked on the pitch in Berlin's cauldron. The team led by Joker Wout Weghorst's drive won the tense quarter-final against Turkey following their controversial "Wolfsbite" incident at the Olympiastadion due to an improved performance in the second half with a score of 2:1 (0:1).
The Netherlands, driven by Weghorst, can now hope for a second EURO triumph on German soil since 1988. "It was a real battle, the Turks have a lot of heart and great quality. We really had to suffer," reported Stefan de Vrij, who scored the equalizer. "It was overall a super game."
Surprisingly, it was Samet Akaydin (35th minute), who stepped in for Merih Demiral, who was banned for two games due to the "Wolfsbite" incident, that led the Turks in front of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former German national player Mesut Ozil. De Vrij (70th) and an own goal from Mert Müldür (76th), who was put under pressure by Cody Gakpo, turned the game around and led to an exhilarating Orange party. In the semi-finals, they will face the unconvincing English on Wednesday. In stoppage time, there was a red card for Bertug Yildirim from the Turkish team.
For the Turks, the EURO ended bitterly after the political turbulence due to the highly controversial "Wolfsbite" celebration of Demiral. They had initially withstood the pressure and were the better team for long stretches. They destroyed their dream of the first semi-final appearance at an EURO in 16 years through carelessness in the closing stages.
Ozil behind Erdogan
In a dark suit and red tie, Erdogan, who had only come to Berlin for the game, and his wife Emine watched the match from the VIP stand, right behind him took a seat the German ex-national player Ozil. They could also see how many Turkish fans displayed the "Wolfsbite" sign during the playing of the national anthem.
Previously, the fan march to the stadium had been prematurely ended by the police because Turkish fans had continuously shown the "Wolfsbite" sign. The police reported via the short message service X: A fan march is "no platform for political messages."
The UEFA also found the EURO game risky and suspended Demiral for the offense. The 26-year-old had shown the symbol of the "Grey Wolves," which followers of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement" are called, who are monitored by the German Constitutional Protection Agency. All this added fuel to the already heated game.
Passionate Turks, wasteful Dutch
The Turks went into the game with plenty of spirit. "We will be even more passionate and prouder," Montella had promised, while at the same time demanding from his players: "We must control our emotions."
This importance was shown in the initial phase. The Dutch offensive with the tricky Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Memphis Depay ran towards the opponent's goal with much tempo, but often appeared too reckless. The Turks defended with physicality and passion - and managed to gain more ball possession from mid-first half.
Hakan Calhanoglu's standards, who took charge in the central midfield next to Dortmund's Salih Özcan after serving a yellow card suspension, posed a threat. The leadership even changed: After a corner from the former Bundesliga professional, the ball landed at Arda Güler's feet, and the 19-year-old served a precise cross to Akaydin's head. Demiral applauded on the bench and laughed - but he refrained from making another provocative gesture.
Weghorst revives the Orange game
Coach Koeman reacted at halftime and brought on super-sub Weghorst for the disappointing Steven Bergwijn. The loaned-out Weghorst from Hoffenheim added more momentum to the Orange attack. The Turks dared less to attack, and had good chances for the 2:0 through Hakan Calhanoglu's free kick (56.) and Kenan Yildiz (65.). But then followed the successful comeback for the clearly better Dutch team. They held off the advancing Turks, with keeper Bart Verbruggen making a crucial contribution.
- In the VIP stand, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former German national player Mesut Özil watched the game.
- Erdogan sat right behind Ozil, who was dressed in a dark suit and red tie.
- Many Turkish fans in the stadium displayed the "Wolfsbite" sign during the national anthem.
- The police ended the fan march to the stadium prematurely due to continuous display of the "Wolfsbite" sign.
- Merih Demiral, who was banned for two games due to the "Wolfsbite" incident, was replaced by Samet Akaydin in the 35th minute.
- Vincenzo Montella, the coach of the Turkish team, had promised his players to be more passionate and proud during the game.
- Ronald Koeman, the coach of the Netherlands, brought on super-sub Wout Weghorst at halftime for the disappointing Steven Bergwijn.
- The Turkish team was led by Hakan Calhanoglu in the central midfield, who posed a threat alongside Salih Özcan.
- The Netherlands secured their place in the EURO semi-finals with a 2:1 win against Turkey, reviving their game with the help of Weghorst.
- The Netherlands will face the unconvincing English in the semi-finals of the European Football Championship, which will take place on German soil.
