Turkey Could Face Germany With Only 14 Players.

You’ve heard by now that Turkey have got problems. Of the 23 players that Fatih Terim took to Swissaustria he’ll potentially be down to just 14 for the big semi-final against Germany tomorrow. And after seeing what Germany did to a full strength Portugal team, that has to be cause for concern.

Turkey have shown incredible heart to make it this far with not one, not two, but three last minute comebacks. But is another miracle possible when a huge chunk of the squad (and a majority of first teamers) are either injured or suspended?

Here’s the list of Turkish absentees:

Definitely out:

Volkan Demirel – Goalkeeper, suspended after wacky attack on Jan Koller

Emre Aşık – Defender, suspended after picking up two yellows

Tuncay Sanli – Creative attacking mid, suspended after two yellows

Arda Turan – Young winger who’s scored twice so far. Suspended after two yellows

Nihat Kahveci – Striker (pictured) out of tournament with injury. Left Swissaustria and flown back to Turkey for an operation on his thigh.

Emre Güngör – Defender, tournament over after calf injury.

Probably out:

Servet Cetin – Big defender, very doubtful with hip and knee problems.

Tümer Metin – Left winger, has a groin injury.

Emre Belözoğlu – Centre mid and captain, injured hamstring in opening game but back in light training.

The only silver lining is for English television commentators. Throughout the tournament BBC and ITV have gotten a little over-excited anytime Colin Kazim-Richards looks like coming off the bench, desparate as they are to inject a bit of English interest to proceedings.

Simone Perotta’s gone, Howard Webb is no longer needed, but with all Turkey’s problems it seems Kazim Kazim (to use his Turkish name) will get some gametime in the Euro 2008 semi-final. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to take a penalty.